Darién National Park's Turnaround: How Increased Ranger Presence and Technology Cut Deforestation by 88%
Darién National Park in Panama, covering 575,000 hectares, faced significant deforestation risks with at least 15% forest loss over two decades due to logging, mining, and cattle ranching. Initially protected by about 20 rangers, efforts to safeguard the park intensified following Panama's 2022 deforestation crackdown and reforms by the Mulino administration in 2024, which included purging corrupt officials and instituting a blanket moratorium on logging linked to indigenous permits.
Ranger numbers increased from just six in 2022 to over 40 by 2024, with patrols rising from nearly zero to 55 and expectations for more than 150 patrols in 2025. A partnership with Global Conservation provided critical support by supplying trucks, boats, food, and fuel, enhancing ranger operations and improving access to remote areas safely. Technological upgrades were implemented, including cameras, satellites, cloud systems, and Starlink connectivity. The introduction of EarthRanger enabled real-time sharing of photos, GPS data, and incident reports, while integration with Global Forest Watch fire alerts contributed to early fire detection; notably, no fires were reported in 2024 or 2025.
Enforcement efficiency was bolstered by the ability to quickly dispatch teams of five, increasing ranger presence and deterring illegal logging and mining activities. Additionally, financial and logistical improvements, such as repairing five rusting boat engines and securing essential supplies, eliminated long-standing operational bottlenecks.
These combined efforts resulted in an 88% reduction in forest loss within the park from 2022 to 2025, with logging activities virtually ceased by 2025. The success of Darién National Park is highlighted as a model for co-investment with governments to accelerate conservation efforts and holds the potential for scaling to many other parks given adequate funding, estimated at around $200,000 per initiative.
