They're scared of us now': how co-investment in a tropical forest saw off loggers

"There are no roads through the Darien Gap. This vast impenetrable forest spans the width of the land bridge between South and Central America, but there is almost no way through it: hundreds have lost their lives trying to cross it on foot. Its size and hostility have shielded it from development for millennia, protecting hundreds of species from harpy eagles and giant anteaters to jaguars and red-crested tamarins in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth."

"Looking after 575,000 hectares (1,420,856 acres) of beach, mangrove and rainforest with just 20 rangers often felt impossible, says Segundo Sugasti, the director of Darien national park. Like tropical forests all over the world, it has been steadily shrinking, with at least 15% lost to logging, mining and cattle ranching in two decades. But in the past three years, Panama has mounted a surprising fightback that could offer hope to the rest of the world's forests."

"Mulino purged the environment ministry of corrupt officials and introduced a blanket moratorium on logging to stop companies exploiting indigenous logging permits. The park ranger force was expanded with 30 new recruits and 11 forestry officers, swelling numbers from six to more than 40. The number of patrols has grown from almost zero in 2022 to 55 in 2024, with more than 150 expected in 2025."

The Darien Gap is an impenetrable forest spanning the land bridge between South and Central America, with no roads and many fatal attempts to cross. The area shelters hundreds of species including harpy eagles, giant anteaters, jaguars and red-crested tamarins, making it one of the planet's most biodiverse regions. Managing 575,000 hectares of beach, mangrove and rainforest with only about 20 rangers was effectively impossible, and at least 15% of the forest was lost to logging, mining and cattle ranching over two decades. Since 2022 Panama modernized its ranger force, partnered with an NGO, and reduced deforestation. Progress accelerated after President Jose Raul Mulino took office in July 2024, when he removed corrupt officials, imposed a blanket moratorium on logging, expanded ranger numbers from six to over 40 and increased patrols from near zero to 55 in 2024 with more than 150 expected in 2025. Local perceptions of rangers improved and interest in ranger jobs has grown.

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