Acandí, Chocó, May 20, 2026. Colombia has taken a vital step for the conservation of the Chocó Caribbean and the Darién with the expansion of the Wildlife and Flora Sanctuary of Acandí, Playón, Playona, San Francisco and Cabo Tiburón. This is a strategic protected area for the preservation of threatened sea turtles, coral reefs, mangroves and other fundamental ecosystems located near the border between Colombia and Panama.

Rainforest Trust is proud to have funded this landmark expansion, which strengthens protection of nesting beaches for threatened sea turtles, mangroves, coral ecosystems and other vital habitats in the Darién.

The expansion incorporates over 155,000 new acres and allows the Sanctuary to now cover nearly 220,000 acres, from Cabo Tiburón, on the border with Panama, to the township of San Francisco, in the southern Gulf of Darién.

The project responds to a long-standing demand from the communities of the area, and was therefore built jointly between Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia, the community councils Cocomanorte, Cocomaseco and Cocomasur, with support from WWF Colombia, consolidating a conservation model articulated with the people of Acandí.

The Sanctuary was declared in 2013 to protect the beaches and seabeds used by Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles during their nesting cycle. Its expansion strengthens the conservation of coral ecosystems, seagrass beds, islets, mangroves and rocky shores — essential for numerous species of fauna and flora in the Colombian Caribbean. In addition, it increases protection for threatened species, strengthens ecological connectivity in the Caribbean, contributes to the food security of local communities, favors carbon capture and helps stabilize coastlines.

For her part, Everyldis Córdoba, legal representative of Cocomasur, noted that the expansion strengthens the coordinated work between communities and Parques Nacionales Naturales to protect strategic ecosystems of the Darién and generate opportunities for those who inhabit the region.

Sandra Valenzuela, Director of WWF Colombia, highlighted that “this expansion represents the result of more than ten years of joint work with the communities of Acandí to protect sea turtles and the region’s strategic ecosystems.”

During the event that officially marks the expansion, the prior consultation agreements required for the adoption of the protected area’s management plan were also formalized. Over the next five years, this instrument will guide the joint actions between Parques Nacionales Naturales and the community councils to strengthen governance, consolidate conservation processes and promote sustainable activities such as fishing, ecotourism and cultural tourism.

“This management plan becomes the compass to guide conservation actions, strengthen the protection of species and consolidate the commitment of communities and institutions to this protected area,” highlighted Efraín Ballesteros Garcés, legal representative of Cocomaseco.

This new milestone reflects a collaborative effort on the part of Parques Nacionales Naturales, the Ministry of Environment with Black communities, and partners including Rainforest Trust, WWF Colombia, GIZ, Re:wild, Invemar, Herencia Colombia and the National Prior Consultation Authority of the Ministry of Interior.

About Rainforest Trust

Since 1988, Rainforest Trust has been safeguarding imperiled tropical habitats and saving endangered species by establishing protected areas in partnership with Indigenous and local organizations and communities. With its partners, Rainforest Trust has safeguarded more than 66 million acres of vital habitat across Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. Rainforest Trust is a nonprofit organization that relies upon the generous support of the public to successfully implement its important conservation action. The organization is proud of earning a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.