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Jaguar Habitat and Center of Maya Civilization Protected in Historic Land Deal

More than 370,000 acres of threatened tropical forest that are home to one of the world’s largest population of jaguars along with one of the most important ruins of Maya civilization will now be permanently protected.

The forest area, located in the heart of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve on the Yucatan Peninsula, is one the most biologically diverse and archeologically significant sites in North America. The deal — the largest conservation land transaction in Mexican history — will ensure that the area will be permanently protected from rapidly expanding development and other environmental threats.

“Calakmul is home to some of the most diverse species in the world,” said Steve McCormick, president of The Nature Conservancy. “Overdevelopment, logging and unsustainable ranching practices pose serious environmental threats to the area. The protection of Calakmul is vital to the environment and people of the entire Yucatan Peninsula, and Mexico as a whole.”

The 1.8 million acres Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in the state of Campeche is the largest intact tropical forest in Mexico. It lies inside the Maya Forest, 5.5 million acres of land extending from Mexico into Belize and Guatemala. The area is home to the largest jaguar population outside of the Amazon.

In addition, more than 350 bird species and 94 species of mammals live in the Calakmul reserve, including pumas, tapirs, spider moneys and howler monkeys, ocellated turkey and great curassow. Some 1,600 plant species can also be found in Calakmul – more than half of all the plant species found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Maya ruins, Calakmul was a superpower of Maya civilization 1,500 years ago. Calakmul, which means “City of the Two Adjacent Towers,” is centered around two ornate pyramids standing 14 stories high. To date, more than 6,250 structures have been found in the area, some containing tombs and jade masks.

The proceeds of the sale will benefit members of four communities who live 155 miles to the north. These communities have been eager to sell their land since the establishment of the Reserve. The land will now be transferred to the Mexican Parks Service for long term management.

Purchase of this land by the Mexican government, with funding by The Nature Conservancy, ensures that the natural and archeological treasures of Calakmul are preserved for future generations to enjoy.

For more information:

Our Partners

• The Government of Mexico
• The State Government of Campeche
• Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan
• The communities of Ich-Ek, Konchén, Xcupilcacab, and Santa Rita de Becanchén
• 3M
• The Earth Foundation
• Press Release: Threatened Tropical Forest and Archaeological Site Protected Under Historic Land Deal Between Local Communities and Mexican Government
  Learn the details behind this important deal.
• Where We Work: The Nature Conservancy in Mexico
  Since 1988, The Nature Conservancy has worked in partnership with Mexico's conservationists to save its rich natural heritage.
• Online Field Guide: Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
  Discover the dense green heart of the Yucatan, once the thriving heart of the Maya Empire.
• Places We Protect: Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
  Slightly larger than the state of Delaware, Calakmul harbors the largest tracts of tropical forest in Mexico.
• Success Story: Isla Espiritu Santo
  The Nature Conservancy in 2003 helped the Mexican government acquire Isla Espiritu Santo, an island in the Sea of Cortez—one of the most biologically diverse marine areas in the world.
• Our Partner: Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan
  Since 1988, Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan is working to protect all this amazing biodiversity in the sea and wetlands, but also has been involved with activities in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in Campeche, the largest protected tropical forest in Mexico.
• Our Partner: Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (en espanol)
  Reserva de la Biosfera Calakmul es la mayor extensión de bosque tropical protegida en México. Biológicamente tiene gran valor como corredor biológico entre la Península de Yucatán y centroamérica.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ancient Maya City of Calakmul, Campeche
  Calakmul, an important Maya site set deep in the tropical forest of the Tierras Bajas of southern Mexico, played a key role in the history of this region for more than twelve centuries.