Animal protection in Panama: EcoCircuitos signs FAADA´s policies for activities involving animals.

By Benita Rose

Panama City, Panama, November 29, 2012 – Tour operator EcoCircuitos recently held its ground as a responsible and committed company by signing the policies for activities involving animals by the nonprofit organization “Foundation for the adoption, sponsorship and defense of animals”, FAADA.

The policies for the protection of all animals as one of the Foundation´s campaigns are supposed to raise awareness and sensitize society on the protection and defense of nonhuman animals, under different perspectives, coupled with the defense of nature and, ultimately, of life.

EcoCircuitos strongly encourages FAADA´s actions and therefore committed itself to meet the given guidelines, especially concerning whale watching, as well as birdwatching tours and any other activities involving animals.

“It is extremely important for us to respect and maintain the animals’ natural environment and to not disturb them in their routines”, says Annie Young, director and founder of EcoCircuitos. “In none of our tours we will harm animals, get too close to them, nor will we disturb them with noises or speed, or in any other way. Only this way we can sensitize our clients and make sure that the services we offer are sustainable and don´t have any impact on nature”, she adds.

EcoCircuitos stands up to its position as a sustainable tour operator by taking action and implying what is necessary to protect our animals.

Whales in Panama

Panama and Colombia share a land border, and also an interest in the conservation of humpback whales within their territorial waters. Waters off the coast of Panama, Colombia, and Costa Rica, are the northernmost reproduction zones of the southeast Pacific population of humpback whales.

Local whale conservation organization Fundación Yubarta has carried an evaluation of whale life in the Las Perlas archipelago in Panama. In an area of 760 sq. km. 68 whales were observed during 23 hours of navigation, 32 of which were monitored over a 12-hour period. Of special importance was the sighting of females with young and the detection of songs. This shows that Las Perlas is used for breeding by the whales.

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and environmental authorities in Panama are trying to conserve the humpback whale in the Las Perlas archipelago, which has been made a Marine Corridor in Panama.

The Archipelago of Las Perlas is 40 nautical miles from Panama City. Las Perlas is mainly inhabited by small fishing communities and is made up of about 250 different islands – larger ones include Isla San José and Isla del Rey. The fishing community is interested now in whale conservation in order to grow whale watching tourism as a sustainable business.

EcoCircuitos offers thrilling Whale Watching Day Tours departing from Panama City for only $250.00 per person. Our tour includes the boat transfer from Panama City to Contadora Island, your Whale Watching Tour on the Island, and a tasty lunch to make your day perfect.

 

 

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