The Ministry of Environment (MiAMBIENTE) has integrated 29 new park rangers to combat environmental crimes in protected areas. The Ministry of Environment (MiAMBIENTE) strengthened the surveillance and protection of Panama's natural heritage with the graduation of 29 new park rangers, who immediately committed to being the primary force in protecting biodiversity and combating crimes against wildlife and flora, both terrestrial and marine. This ceremony marked the culmination of the Tenth Basic Park Ranger Training Course, taught by the Park Ranger School of the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP), with academic support from the National Institute for Professional Training and Human Development Capacity Building (INADEH) and the Rural and Tourist Environmental Police. Strategic Reinforcement in Protected Areas The 29 new graduates will join the institutional force to reinforce the State's presence in the country's 122 protected areas. The course included instruction on the following key topics: • Environmental Legislation: Application of current environmental legislation and techniques for protected area management. • Surveillance and Monitoring: Acquisition of skills in control, surveillance, and jungle survival techniques. • Emergencies and Risk Management: Training in first aid and forest fire management. • Species Knowledge: Management of flora and fauna, species identification, and knowledge of natural resources. Luis Alfonso Puleio, director of the Park Ranger School, urged the young graduates to maintain the vocation and enthusiasm with which they began, reminding them of their mission to "protect and save nature." Since September 2024, more than 330 new park rangers have been trained, covering the national territory from Darién to Bocas del Toro. The new park rangers were assigned to strategic protected areas such as: • Coclé: Cerrezuela Water Reserve, Cerro Guacamaya Water Reserve, and El Gaital Natural Monument. • Los Santos: Pablo Arturo Barrios Wildlife Refuge. • Herrera: Sarigua National Park and Ciénaga de Las Macanas. • Panama and Colón: Chagres National Park. • Bocas del Toro and Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca: Isla Escudo de Veraguas-Degó Protected Landscape. The Minister of MiAMBIENTE, Juan Carlos Navarro, stated that Panama is emerging as a "world benchmark in environmental conservation," an achievement he attributed to government support to "reinforce the effective presence of the State in this responsibility." Technical and Operational Capabilities The training of park rangers is part of a rigorous interinstitutional strategy aimed at providing them with the essential technical, operational, and human skills for their role.
