Contributing to Biodiversity Conservation in La Guajira

Cerrejón inaugura un punto de atención a la comunidad en el municipio de Uribia

Cerrejón reaffirms its commitment to biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in the region through its Endangered Species Program. The company and its neighboring communities have achieved significant progress in the rehabilitation and protection of local wildlife.

In this way, Cerrejón maintains a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center that serves as a temporary home for various rescued animals in need of special care. This facility promotes the proper management, recovery, and future survival of these animals, including the breeding and release of endangered species.

The center plays a pivotal role in the conservation and protection of the region's wildlife and in reintroducing healthy animals to their natural habitats. Efforts to reproduce and care for each species involve facility adaptations, collaboration with experts and veterinarians, and monitoring of the influence areas.

In a significant milestone for the conservation of local wildlife, Cerrejón has released nine needle caymans (Crocodylus acutus) into their natural habita[AIE(C1] t. These impressive reptiles were born and raised in the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. This release, carried out in collaboration with the environmental authority of La Guajira (Corpoguajira), represents a joint effort to preserve an endangered species. The release site was meticulously chosen for its socio-environmental and logistical conditions conducive to the caymans' survival and was conducted with all safety measures in a remote area, away from local communities.

Cerrejón has also intensified its efforts for the conservation of the hicotea turtle (Trachemys callirostris). That is why since 2019 it has led a program to protect vulnerable species, with which 5,642 turtles have already been released. Recently, the company released over 1,500 of these turtles in the La Esperanza private reserve and Arroyo Bruno, in collaboration with Corpoguajira. This species is endangered, and as part of its endangered species conservation program, Cerrejón incubated and protected the turtles before releasing them into their natural habitat. This is another step in the company's commitment to conserve and protect La Guajira's native biodiversity. In recent years, Cerrejón has released over 6,000 hicotea turtles into their natural habitat, significantly contributing to the population increase and survival of this endangered species.

Cerrejón continues to be a prime example of dedication to biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in La Guajira in collaboration with the community, which is why it has made them aware of the importance, and has, for example, monitored the more than 10 jaguars (both adults and cubs) that he has identified in the Ranchería River valley, an area that the company has protected and restored. These magnificent cats, such as "Alpha", "Onca" and "Khan", are vital for the connectivity of biodiversity and serve as indicators of the good state of ecosystems and the presence of water in the area.

Cerrejón is committed to the conservation of endangered species and contributes to the generation of open biodiversity data. The company has shared information with the Colombia Biodiversity Information System (SiB Colombia) and other international platforms. Furthermore, it has established conservation agreements with local communities living in the Wüin Manna biological corridor, fostering harmonious coexistence with endangered species.