About This Project

Coiba Island is Central America’s largest uninhabited island; a forested rock in the rich Pacific Ocean that offers a living example of the diverse habitats that once prevailed in this part of the world. For 100 years, Coiba was a penal colony and so, through a quirk in history, it is still covered with lush rain forest providing sanctuary to many rare and endemic species. Using science and photography we will document this diverse island to ensure Coiba's continued protection. More on NatGeo!

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Coiba is unique; the largest uninhabited island in all of Latin America, home to a uniquely rich biological heritage but largely unexplored. One of the largest remaining forests in Central America, surrounded by a rich ocean, inhabited by charismatic wildlife, both terrestrial and marine. Coiba is home to endemic species and healthy populations of many rare species. However, Coiba is under a variety of threats despite being a national park, from illegal fishing and potential development.

We have spent the last two years documenting and describing Coiba’s biodiversity and landscapes. We have completed four expeditions, including two with an international team of taxonomists. Our aim is to raise awareness about Coiba’s unique ecosystem both within Panama and internationally.

What is the significance of this project?

Coiba has an intriguing evolutionary history - the island originated in the Galapagos hotspot and was subsequently pushed northwards by the Cocos plate. Coiba now sits 23km from Panamanian mainland and has a unique species composition due to its evolutionary history and recent past. Botanical and wildlife surveys have illustrated that Coiba is home to many rare and endemic species, and we are continuing to discover new species on the island.

We are generating expert scientific documentation of Coiba’s habitats and species, and top level photographic documentation to describe Coiba’s unique diversity.

We are raising awareness about Coiba as a national treasure within Panama and internationally to ensure the continued protection of Coiba in the long term.

What are the goals of the project?

We aim to:

1. Complete wildlife censuses in previously unexplored forest habitats to expand our knowledge of Coiba's biodiversity through comprehensive species lists.

2. Complete detailed description of all Coiba endemic species and subspecies.

3. Generate population estimates of key rare and endangered species.

4. Establish a high profile educational exhibition about Coiba in Panama, to improve local awareness about this unique ecosystem.

5. Fuse science and photography to tell the story of Coiba's rich natural history through a variety of media outlets, in Panama and around the world.