 The Zapata Swamp is also visited by 65 species of birds during their migration pattern from North America through the Caribbean to South America.Zapata is also known for the local endemic Cuban crocodile "(Crocodylus rhombifer)" which are restricted to the Zapata Swamp and are being reintroduced to the nearby Lanier Swamp on the Isle of Youth ().Within the Zapata Swamp are numerous areas designated for environmental preservation, such as Zapata Swamp Natural Reserve and Las Salinas wildlife sanctuary, which is part of the larger Ciénaga de Zapata Biosphere Reserve (IUCN category VI) which in total is over 6,000 km² and the largest protected area, not only in Cuba, but also the Caribbean.