Panama enhances protection at Playa La Marinera, upgrades facilities for park rangers

Panama's Ministry of Environment is bolstering conservation at Playa La Marinera, a critical nesting ground for marine turtles in Tonosí, Los Santos province. This site is recognized globally for its massive turtle nesting events.

Minister of Environment Juan Carlos Navarro recently inspected the reserve to oversee upgrades to facilities supporting scientific research, surveillance, and staff accommodation. Improvements include renovated bathrooms, a new restroom, a completely replaced roof, and modernized dormitories and kitchen.

These enhancements aim to provide safer and more functional spaces for the personnel dedicated to protecting the site. The reserve now also has a dedicated director and eight new park rangers to bolster surveillance, monitoring, and conservation of the species that frequent the area.

Playa La Marinera serves as a vital natural laboratory for scientific research and environmental education in Panama due to the significant arrival of marine turtles during nesting season. The ministry urges the public to avoid disturbing the animals, their eggs, or nests, and to refrain from entering nesting areas without authorization. Panama is home to five of the world's seven marine turtle species, making their protection a priority for biodiversity and coastal ecosystem conservation.

“

The improvements seek to offer safer and more functional spaces to those who work permanently in the protection of the site.