San Jose, Costa Rica  - The Costa Rican government has declared the Los Quetzales region the country's 28th National Park.

The 4,000 hectares of reserve were first created in 2005 in one of the rainiest parts of the Central American country, 122 kilometres from the capital San Jose.

According to officials, the park owes its rich biodiversity to the seven different levels of altitude which house 25 different local species, 116 types of mammals and wetlands such as seasonal lagoons from the glacial era.

The Costa Rican government said the new Quetzales National Park would not only help to protect the diverse wildlife in this area, but also allow flourishing oak trees to continue to grow without being in danger of becoming extinct.

The new park boosts Costa Rica's protected territory from 25 to 26 per cent. (dpa)