The Los Manglares de Tumbes National Sanctuary: a natural jewel struggling to survive amidst challenges such as drug trafficking, violence, and environmental pressure on the border between Peru and Ecuador.
This northern Peruvian refuge is home to the country’s most important mangrove ecosystem, providing a vital habitat for rich biodiversity while facing growing threats from organized crime and smuggling.
Within its confines, in lagoons and estuaries, flourish flamingos, red crabs, black shells, and more than 100 bird species, both migratory and resident.
However, the sanctuary has become a battleground for fishermen, park rangers, and local communities, who seek to preserve this invaluable natural space of the Pacific.
The sanctuary stretches along the Peruvian coast, embracing a variety of ecosystems ranging from mangroves and estuaries to dry forests and dune areas. The mangroves play a crucial role by acting as natural filters and nurseries for marine species, essential for the regional ecological balance.
Despite threats from organized crime and illegal fishing, the sanctuary protects around 3,000 hectares of mangroves, vital for the marine biodiversity and coastal areas of Peru. Its lagoons and estuaries are a refuge for more than 100 bird species, as well as fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and mammals that depend on the balance of these wetlands.
Biodiversity of the Tumbes Mangroves
Species like flamingos, herons, and cormorants find a safe haven in the sanctuary, especially in areas like El Palmal, an important ornithological sanctuary of the Pacific. Additionally, mangroves are considered true “natural nurseries” for numerous marine species.
Besides its natural value, the sanctuary is an important source of livelihood for hundreds of families in Tumbes. For decades, traditional extractors have collected red crabs and black shells, emblematic products of Peruvian gastronomy and local economic drivers.
About 200 people with ancestral rights develop sustainable extraction practices, supported by the Consorcio Manglares, an organization that manages the area alongside the Peruvian state.
Through this consortium, initiatives such as laboratory reproduction of key species are promoted to reinforce natural populations.
Despite efforts, security remains a significant threat to the sanctuary. Networks of drug trafficking, smuggling, and illegal fuel trafficking increasingly use maritime routes and border estuaries. Locals report assaults and the presence of suspicious vessels, leading many fishermen to avoid going out at night.
With only five park rangers tasked with monitoring the entire sanctuary, controlling the rise of illegal economies is nearly impossible. Although the creation of the sanctuary halted the massive destruction of mangroves, new challenges such as illegal fishing, cross-border trafficking, and climate change complicate the situation.
In the face of violence and environmental threats, ecotourism emerges as a sustainable solution. Bird watching and tours through the estuaries attract tourists interested in biodiversity, generating income that helps conserve the mangrove and improve the quality of life for communities.
The Los Manglares de Tumbes Sanctuary: a natural bastion facing insecurity, illegal trafficking, and growing pressure on a crucial territory for the Pacific’s biodiversity, while offering a safe haven for endangered species.
