The name means 'forest' in the Wapishana language, a reference to the rich diversity of wildlife found there.

In 2011, the mountains were designated National Protected Area.

[2] Prominent species include the Giant otter, the Harpy eagle and the Arapaima.

[2] In 2010, concern for the fate of the wildlife of the Kanuku Mountains was raised by the completion of the Takutu River Bridge and matching road system linking coastal Guyana with the interior and the Brazilian frontier.

The road passes close to the Kanukus and is a potential source of unsustainable resource exploitation.