Panama Earthquake Sea Turtle Aid | Isla Cañas | Oct 9, 2026

PANAMA EARTHQUAKE WILDLIFE EMERGENCY | OCTOBER 9, 2026

SEA TURTLE NESTING FACILITIES HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. COASTAL WILDLIFE AND ANIMALS IN AFFECTED COMMUNITIES NEED SUPPORT.

Since the first day of Panama's October 9 earthquake emergency, Quenara Foundation's response team and local field partner have been engaged under difficult conditions. While families face damaged homes and disrupted services, a second emergency affects animals and fragile coastal ecosystems. We are using local knowledge to identify urgent needs and strengthen care for vulnerable animals. More support is needed to reach them responsibly.

AT THE HEART OF THIS APPEAL: ISLA CAÑAS, LOS SANTOS

Isla Cañas Wildlife Refuge and nearby Playa La Marinera are important sea turtle nesting areas on Panama's Pacific coast. The Ministry of Environment, MiAMBIENTE, reported more than 10,000 protected sea turtle nests across the two sites during September 2026. That figure describes the scale of conservation work before the earthquake, not nests lost during the disaster.

These beaches support olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). Their protection depends on safe nesting areas, careful monitoring and experienced conservation workers. During nesting season, damaged infrastructure can seriously disrupt the people and facilities responsible for protecting eggs and hatchlings.

WHAT THE EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED

A local report published on October 12 described serious damage to the Venancio sea turtle incubation facility at Isla Cañas after the earthquake, aftershocks and strong coastal waves. The preliminary assessment reported the loss of the area used to incubate relocated nests and damage affecting approximately 75% of the facilities and structures assessed. Water and septic tanks were reported damaged or collapsed, a container was displaced and flooded access routes made work more difficult.

These are preliminary infrastructure findings. They reveal an urgent practical need: conservation teams require safe access, functioning equipment and appropriate incubation facilities. Restoring that capacity calls for technical decisions and assistance that reaches qualified local professionals.

PRESENT SINCE THE FIRST DAY

Quenara Foundation and our local field partner have been engaged in Panama's emergency response since day one. Damaged roads, interrupted services and difficult transport put pressure on responders. We are identifying conservation and animal welfare priorities, consulting local specialists and seeking practical resources to help address verified needs.

At protected nesting sites, conservation and veterinary activities are coordinated with the responsible authorities and trained specialists. Our aim is to strengthen local capacity, not disrupt delicate conservation work.

OUR FIRST PRIORITY: SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION RECOVERY

We want to support responsible recovery in and around Isla Cañas and other affected nesting environments through authorized local conservation teams. Priority needs may include suitable protective materials, nest monitoring equipment, safe storage, essential maintenance supplies, specialist transport, communication equipment and field logistics.

Incubation infrastructure requires a careful site assessment. If authorized experts identify a suitable recovery plan, donations can support appropriate replacement materials and equipment. A temporary or permanent solution should protect the species and follow the direction of the responsible wildlife authorities. Improvised relocation of eggs or handling of nesting turtles by untrained volunteers can do more harm than good.

Conservation recovery also means helping local specialists return to safe, sustained operations. Access routes, water systems, working equipment and reliable transport are not glamorous. They are the foundations of effective care.

MARINE WILDLIFE AND COASTAL HABITATS

Coastal habitats connect sea turtles, seabirds and other marine life. Strong waves, debris and damaged access routes may complicate the careful monitoring and protection these environments require.

Our approach begins with assessment. Qualified local specialists can determine whether nesting sites need protection, whether wildlife monitoring should increase and which recovery actions are permitted and useful. Funds can help provide essential materials and logistical support for that work, including species appropriate equipment and specialized veterinary referrals when an animal is actually found in need of treatment.

ANIMALS ON LAND NEED ATTENTION TOO

The earthquake also affected domestic animals and the people responsible for them. Panama's National Police reported providing veterinary assistance to dogs and cats in affected areas of Veraguas. Among the needs identified were animal food, blankets, carriers, medicines and wound care materials.

In an emergency, an animal can lose access to familiar shelter, food or veterinary services just as its human family faces disruption. Some need urgent clinical assessment. Others need clean water, appropriate food, secure transport or a safe temporary place to stay. Local veterinarians and animal welfare partners are essential for determining the right response.

Native birds, mammals and reptiles may also need assessment where habitat disruption is reported. Specialist intervention will follow actual cases and local guidance.

WHAT YOUR DONATION CAN PROVIDE

SEA TURTLE NESTING PROTECTION: Approved protective supplies, nest monitoring materials, suitable conservation equipment and operational support for qualified local teams.

INCUBATION FACILITY RECOVERY: Materials or equipment identified through authorized technical assessments for restoring essential conservation capacity.

WATER AND FIELD INFRASTRUCTURE: Appropriate storage, sanitation related supplies and replacement of essential items required for safe conservation operations.

EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE: Clinical assessments, wound care materials, hydration treatment, prescribed supplies and referrals to qualified animal care professionals where necessary.

ANIMAL FOOD AND TEMPORARY CARE: Species appropriate nutrition, clean water, blankets, safe holding resources and other essential supplies for animals whose needs are confirmed locally.

SAFE TRANSPORT: Suitable carriers, protective transport materials, fuel and logistical assistance to connect affected animals with authorized care providers.

COASTAL MONITORING: Appropriate field equipment, communication supplies and authorized monitoring activities to protect vulnerable nesting and shoreline environments.

LOCAL RESPONSE CAPACITY: Procurement, delivery and practical coordination that help trained responders work safely and use resources where they are most needed.

Every activity will be determined by verified field priorities, professional advice, local laws, available funding and safe access. Donations will not automatically be divided equally across categories; they will be directed toward needs that can responsibly be met.

WHY RAPID COORDINATION AND SPECIALIST CARE MATTER

Our broader emergency model aims to begin coordination in the first two hours of a qualifying incident. Actual field intervention depends on safety, local access and specialist availability. Early coordination helps locate the right people and supplies.

OUR TEAM, OUR PARTNERS, OUR COMMITMENT

From the first day, our team and local partner have remained engaged in Panama's broader emergency response. We are determined to continue helping as recovery unfolds. That means listening to people on the ground, identifying what is missing, assessing whether we can assist safely and directing available resources toward practical action.

We value the trust behind each donation. We aim to keep appropriate records of the supplies and assistance supported and share meaningful updates as reliable field information becomes available, while protecting sensitive information.

A donation could help a qualified conservation worker obtain necessary field supplies. It could help replace equipment identified in an approved recovery plan. It could help a veterinarian treat an affected animal, or enable safe transportation to the right provider. These are specific ways to turn concern into useful support.

AN URGENT INVITATION TO DONORS AND COMPANIES

We welcome individuals, wildlife advocates, animal lovers, marine conservation supporters, charitable foundations, businesses and workplace giving communities. If you are searching for Panama earthquake relief, Isla Cañas sea turtle conservation, marine wildlife protection, emergency animal rescue, veterinary care, coastal habitat recovery or support for animals after natural disasters, this appeal brings those concerns together in one practical mission.

Corporate gifts and employee giving can strengthen local purchasing, essential transport and conservation recovery. Our focus is practical support identified with local partners.

THE EARTHQUAKE HAS PASSED. THE NEED TO PROTECT ANIMALS AND RESTORE CONSERVATION CAPACITY CONTINUES.

Please help Quenara Foundation support the qualified local teams, vulnerable animals and conservation environments affected by this emergency. Alongside our local partner since day one, we are working to extend responsible recovery in Isla Cañas, Los Santos, Veraguas and other affected communities.

Thank you for standing with Panama's sea turtles, its coastal habitats and the animals that depend on compassionate care.

NO NAME FOUNDATION | QUENARA FOUNDATION
United States 501(c)(3) Public Charity | EIN 35 2882867
https://quenarafoundation.com/