Coiba National Park continues to solidify its reputation as “Panama’s own Galápagos,” a place where the processes of evolution are on full display. Recent scientific expeditions, many led by our partners at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), have unveiled a stunning array of life new to science. A single week-long survey in 2019 discovered three new genera and one new species of shrimp, while a 2018 deep-reef study on Hannibal Bank identified 17 species of octocoral, including three that had never been described before.
These discoveries are more than just academic footnotes; they are the tangible result of our TCI model in action. By providing a base for researchers, we help facilitate the “Investigation” that reveals just how special this ecosystem is. Each new discovery enriches the story we can share with our visitors and reinforces the urgent need for the “Conservation” that protects these unique species for generations to come.
- Read more about new shrimp species at EcoMagazine.
- Learn about the new soft coral discoveries from the Smithsonian Institution.