Located in the department Leon and close to the beach towns of Las Peñitas and Poneloya is the Juan Venado Nature Reserve. Juan Venado (John Deer in English) gets its name from the local story that there was a man around this site who hunted for deer in order to sell the fur in the Sutiava market. This mangrove-swamp system, situated between the island and the coast, is of great importance to the ecological environment of the entire region. The reserve is 12 miles long by ½ mile wide, enclosing a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. By exploring the forest you can find different types of precious wood trees, a rich bird life, mammals, small cats and other animals. The mangroves also allow the development of a wide variety of marine species. Throughout the year there are even occasional arrivals of the leather-back turtles and the olive ridley turtle.