The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, located on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, is a treasure trove of biodiversity and a World Heritage Site endorsed by UNESCO. The reserve attracts over 90,000 visitors annually for wildlife watching and nature-based experiences. However, growing tourism and infrastructure expansion, including the Mayan Train, Tulum Airport, and major highways, pose increasing pressure on this rich natural heritage.
Research conducted by the National Alliance for Jaguar Conservation (ANCJ) reveals that the Cancun-Tulum highway records Mexico's highest jaguar mortality rate, with 13 deaths between 2019 and 2024. To address this issue, the TUI Care Foundation, in partnership with Amigos de Sian Ka'an and Pro Conservación Peninsular, is launching a two-year conservation project that empowers local communities to safeguard their natural environment.
The TUI Wildlife Mexico project will establish ecosystem restoration, wildlife monitoring, and environmental education programs across six communities in the Maya Ka'an region. The project aims to protect over 10 endangered and protected species, including jaguars, ocelots, manatees, sea turtles, and crocodiles. Additionally, the project will restore 70 hectares of mangroves in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mangrove ecosystems have been heavily impacted, with over 500 hectares lost at El Playón due to poorly planned road construction. Local communities possess valuable traditional knowledge about wildlife and ecosystems but often lack the skills, capacity, and resources to participate in conservation efforts. The TUI Wildlife Mexico project addresses these challenges by building local conservation capacity and integrating wildlife protection into tourism experiences.
The project will establish 19 camera-trap stations to monitor priority species and train five community cooperatives in monitoring techniques and species identification. Environmental education activities will reach 250 students through workshops using virtual reality technology. The program will also train 150 members of tourism and fishing cooperatives in sustainable tourism practices.
The initiative will benefit more than 400 community members, create and sustain 10 local jobs, and raise awareness among more than 90,000 visitors. The project aims to position Maya Ka'an as a model for replicable conservation-led development. TUI Wildlife Mexico is part of the global TUI Wildlife Programme, which protects endangered animals and their natural habitats.
The project is a collaborative effort between the TUI Care Foundation, Amigos de Sian Ka'an, and Pro Conservación Peninsular. The organizations aim to support conservation communities in tourism destinations around the world and create new opportunities for thriving communities in tourism destinations.
Key points
- The TUI Wildlife Mexico project aims to protect over 10 endangered and protected species and restore 70 hectares of mangroves in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The project will benefit more than 400 community members and create and sustain 10 local jobs.
- The initiative aims to position Maya Ka'an as a model for replicable conservation-led development.
