IUCN SSC and Fundación Parque Jaime Duque launch a new Center for Species Survival to aid endangered wildlife in Colombia

The Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Fundación Parque Jaime Duque announced a groundbreaking partnership to create a new IUCN SSC Center for Species Survival, as a major step forward in strengthening its commitment to the conservation of Colombia’s biodiversity and threatened species.

Centers for Species Survival are strategic partnerships between the IUCN SSC and leading conservation organisations. The SSC is the largest commission within the IUCN, bringing together more than 11,500 species conservation experts worldwide. These centers are hosted by leading zoos, aquariums, botanic gardens, and other conservation institutions dedicated to advancing species conservation efforts in priority regions and for threatened taxa through assess, plan, and act priorities.

Within this collaboration, Fundación Parque Jaime Duque will work closely with the IUCN SSC Colombia Species Specialist Group (CSSG) to advance species conservation efforts across Colombia. The IUCN SSC CSSG promotes coordinated actions to protect and conserve a wide range of species across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, including animals, fungi, and plants. As a leading scientific and advisory network, the Specialist Group is committed to supporting Colombia in advancing Targets 4, 5, and 6 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, while also contributing to the implementation of the IUCN SSC Global Species Action Plan.

The new Center will strengthen collaboration, scientific expertise, and drive impactful conservation action to safeguard Colombia’s extraordinary biodiversity. Together, the partners will support extinction risk the assessments for priority taxonomic groups and help accelerate the planning, coordination, and implementation of effective conservation measures across the country.

At the Jaime Duque Park Foundation, we celebrate our incorporation into the global IUCN SSC network, a milestone that reinforces our commitment to the conservation of Colombian biodiversity. We believe it is essential to strengthen strategic alliances that promote joint and coordinated actions for the protection of the country's ecosystems. This alliance arises in response to the growing environmental challenges facing Colombia, including deforestation, habitat loss, climate change, and anthropogenic pressures. Through our Center, we seek to consolidate and expand technical, scientific, and community capacities at the national level, aimed at effective species conservation. This initiative is expected to contribute significantly to the protection of biodiversity, the strengthening of environmental management, the generation of scientific knowledge, and the development of public policies that promote long-term conservation¨ said Rafael Torres, CEO at Fundación Parque Jaime Duque

As an important first step, two dedicated Species Survival Officer positions will be established at Fundación Parque Jaime Duque. Working remotely within the Specialist Group, these roles will strengthen collaboration between national and international experts, support scientific assessments, and help drive conservation initiatives that contribute to the long-term protection of Colombia’s unique biodiversity.

This partnership marks an important milestone for species conservation in Colombia and for the IUCN SSC network. I am especially pleased that this is the first Center for Species Survival to be established since I assumed the role of Chair of the Commission, reflecting our renewed commitment to strengthening conservation action through collaboration and shared leadership. As the first Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission from Asia, this partnership is also symbolic in bringing together two regions of the world that are extraordinarily rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage. Preserving natural heritage is deeply important to both our cultures, and this collaboration demonstrates how international solidarity can help safeguard biodiversity for future generations” said Vivek Menon, Chair of IUCN Species Survival Commission

The Fundación Parque Jaime Duque is honored to invite institutions, entities, community actors, and scientists to join this alliance for the Colombian species, an inclusive platform for coordination that brings together all those committed to protecting and preserving the country's extraordinary natural heritage.

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About IUCN Species Survival Commission

With over 11,500 members in 186 territories, the Species Survival Commission (SSC) is the largest of the seven expert Commissions of IUCN and enables it to influence, encourage and assist societies to conserve biodiversity by building knowledge on the status and threats to species, providing advice, developing policies and guidelines, facilitating conservation planning, and catalysing conservation action. The SSC has been recognised as “the world's largest volunteer conservation-science network” by Guinness World Records®.

About Fundación Parque Jaime Duque

Fundación Parque Jaime Duque is a Colombian non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of family, social welfare, nature, and culture. It seeks to serve the community and promote the well-being of present and future generations as a model of sustainable recreation and purposeful tourism, offering spaces for reconciliation with nature. It operates under a responsible and ethical business model, allocating resources to support vulnerable populations and environmental conservation.

About the IUCN SSC Colombia Species Specialist Group

The IUCN SSC Colombia Species Specialist Group brings together scientists, researchers, and professionals committed to the conservation of biodiversity in the world's most megadiverse country, generating high-level technical and scientific information to guide strategic decisions that contribute to the protection and sustainable use of Colombia's natural heritage.