Darién National Park Rangers Strengthen Their Capabilities with the Support of Global Conservation
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the protection and conservation of the country's natural resources, the Ministry of Environment, with the support of Global Conservation, continues to promote the training and professional development of the rangers of Darién National Park.
The operational capacity of Darién National Park was greatly enhanced in 2026 with the addition of 64 park rangers, solidifying one of the most crucial structures for protection and surveillance within Panama’s protected areas system.
To that end, field staff underwent a specialized training program to increase their proficiency with cutting-edge methods and equipment for preserving ecosystems. The primary subjects addressed included methods for conducting ground patrols, setting up and operating camera traps to track biodiversity, and using drones to aid in monitoring, surveillance, and research in inaccessible places.
These training activities improve the rangers’ capacity to respond to environmental threats, strengthen wildlife monitoring efforts, and optimize protection and surveillance strategies within the protected area.
Darién National Park is one of Mesoamerica's most significant ecosystems and has the honor of being both a Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Consequently, protecting its unique biodiversity and the people who live there and rely on its resources depends on enhancing the technical skills of its workers.
This initiative was made possible through the coordination of Luis Carles, National Coordinator of the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP), who has consistently supported the actions carried out by Global Conservation. The organization’s cooperation continues to contribute to institutional strengthening and the development of highly trained park rangers capable of addressing the conservation challenges facing this important protected area.
