Conservation Value:

Wounaan Indigenous territories harbour intact forest and species already extirpated outside this region.  They lie within the Majé Mountain range, which extends 60 km and has some of the highest biodiversity in the world, from its mountain tops to the Pacific coast. The landscape is the winter home to at least 65 Neotropical migratory bird species, including the Prothonotary and Canada warblers and support globally threatened species such as the Great Green Macaw, Harpy Eagle and Great Curassow. Research in the eastern-most highland of the range, the Chucantí Reserve (established with support from ICFC), indicate a high level of endemism and has uncovered new species, including: a staghorn beetle, a lungless salamander, a centipede snake, Anthurium (a plant), a Heliconia plant, a Pierid butterfly, a climbing rat and a beetle.

Threats:

Outside Wounaan territories, forests are being logged and cleared for cattle ranching and farming at one of the highest rates in Panama and there has been widespreaddestruction of coastal mangroves.  With access from the Pan American Highway, settlers have cleared 40% of the land in eastern Panama.  The remaining forest - starkly seen from satellite imagery – is found in national parks and Indigenous territories, including Indigenous territories still without legal recognition like Rio Hondo, Platanares and Majé.

Actions & Results:

This project is helping the Wounaan establish and protect their boundaries using satellite analysis, drone surveys, community-based monitors and signage, while they work to gain legal title to their lands.  Work plan info is outlined in the In Depth section below.