“Care and love nature
for an eco-friendly future.”

What we protect

Fundación Alianza Caribe manages the conservation and protection of a Private Wildlife Reserve, located on the Caribbean Coast of the Provinces of Veraguas, covering some 2,500 acres and bordering over 5 kilometers of pristine beach front. The Wildlife Reserve functions as a buffer zone between the new road to the Caribbean Coast and a large area of unprotected primary rainforest. Jaguars, pumas and ocelots still roam around the Reserve and different species of marine turtles lay their eggs on its beaches.

The Private Wildlife Reserve is part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor of Panama´s Caribbean Coast. This corridor falls under the Isthmian-Atlantic moist forests ecoregion, stretching from the Colombian part of the Darién all the way to Nicaragua.

Endemic and threatened biodiversity​

Forming a land bridge, the corridor contains unique combinations of North American and South American flora and fauna, which came together with the joining of these continents around three million years ago. Big cats that roam the area include the jaguar (Panthera onca) and cougar (Felis concolor). Other emblematic species are herbivores like Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) and monkeys including the White-headed capuchin (Cebus capucinus).
If you want to see nesting of turtles, then the Caribbean Coast of Panama is the right place: it is considered one of the most important sea turtle nesting beaches of Central America, specifically for two threatened species: the critically endangered hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate) and vulnerable leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtle.
For bird lovers, the species to adore in the corridor include the endemic glow-throated hummingbird (Selasphorus ardens), the migratory three-wattled bellbird (Procnias tricarunculata) and Endangered Bare-necked Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus glabricollis). Fans of amphibians and reptiles can find for example the spiny Cochran frog (Cochranella spinosa) and Harlequin Frog (Atelopus varius), La Loma Salamander (Bolitoglossa colonnea) and boa constrictor. And then there are also even more than 300 plant species to be found.

Climate & Water benefits​

Besides these strong benefits of the area to wildlife conservation benefits, its forests store and absorb the carbon contributing to climate change mitigation, but together with the many streams and rivers serve as an important source of fresh water.

Threats

Thanks to the recent inaccessibility of the area, more than 80% of this virgin rainforest is still untouched. But due to the completion of the new road, from the village of Santa Fe north to the village of Calovébora at the Caribbean Coast, this is about to change. As elsewhere in Panamá, such improved accessibility is unfortunately directly correlated to massive reforestation, cattle farming, mining, poaching and contamination. Subsequently, the important function of the connectivity of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor is in danger!
Puma
Pecari de Collar
Rana Dorada de Panama
Baird’s Tapir
Conejo Pintado
Tortuga Caguama
Lobito de Rio
Mono arana de Geoffroy
Aguila Harpia
Pecari Barbiblanco
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How we protect​

On the ground conservation action will include reforestation, engagement and conversion of loggers, poachers and intrusive farmers (see local communities below) into caretakers of the area´s biodiversity, as well as species monitoring (see below) and measures that help them migrate by ensuring the connectivity with adjacent areas. Furthermore, through alliances with NGOs and universities both nationally and internationally, research will further reveal the richness of the area; even new species could be discovered in these little investigated forests!

Involvement of local communities

We strongly believe that the success of our project largely depends on the acceptance and active involvement of the local communities. Therefore, we provide labor opportunities for wildlife monitoring, eco-guides and park guards. The development of or eco-lodges will also provide substantial labor during in the field of construction, maintenance, hospitality and eco activities.
Key to successful conservation is not only to involve the communities, but also to incorporate the knowledge that they have of the land. Environmental education programs in the schools will raise awareness on the area´s importance and help to achieve the initiative´s long-term goal. Finally, the land will not be closed off: selected parts are open for sustainable public recreation.

State of the art surveillance technology​

Through alliances with knowledge institutes and wildlife experts, we will use state-of-the-art technology to track and record the movements of emblematic species such as jaguars, pumas and sea turtles. Not only will the latest GPS-based tracking devices be applied to track the animals, but also the latest drone technology and software applications. This allows real-time scanning, monitoring and evidence gathering of the area against poachers and loggers.

Supporting panama´s objectives

We recognize that the Government of Panamá cannot protect the entire Mesoamerican Biological Corridor of Panama´s Atlantic Coast (CBMAP) by itself, as it is confronted with the large interests of mining corporations, large cattle farmers, logging industries and developers. Therefore, by establishing this protected area we do not only help the government to meet the national goals, but also its international conservation objectives, such as the Aichi Targets of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD).