Minister promises no road through national park.

“NO ROAD will be built  using Cerro Hoya National Park,” said Environment Minister Mirei Endara on Saturday June 6, adding that an alternative route will be sought to service the Tonosí Mariato districts in the provinces of Veraguas and Los Santos.

Endara said that she is working in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works, whose Minister , Ramon Arosemena, announced on May 25 during the Cabinet Council held in the community of Macaracas in the province of Los Santos, the opening of a road  using part of the protected area.
“A route where the park’s integrity is maintained will be sought,” said Endara.
Environmental groups in the region, have argued that the opening of a road would undermine the survival of the Azuero spider monkey and other endangered species
Recently, Arosemena announced studies for the creation of a road that would split into two the protected area.into two parts.

On hearing the news, the Pro-Conservation Foundation Panamanian Primates (FCPP) said the road project “was unconstitutional and threatens the survival of the Azuero spider monkey and other species in critical danger of extinction”.

Pedro Mendez Carvajal, president of the Santeños Foundation, called for the defense of the area’s natural heritage, home to some 30 species of endemic trees, besides being a bastion of the scarlet macaw the painted, parrot and the king vulture, among at least 95 species of birds.

He said Cerro Hoya is the last corner with large enough forest cover to save the Azuero spider monkey. This species, he said as only 145 individuals in the wild.
A population study by FCPP revealed that 95% of the total population of this protected endemic primate is in this park.