Cartagena, September the 3rd, 2024

The “Center for Conservation, Research and Rehabilitation of Wild Fauna - Port Oasis Ecopark” project, located in the Cartagena Cruise Terminal, was awarded in the Biodiversity category in the GRI Infra Awards Andean 2024. This acknowledgement highlights the port’s leading role in conserving and protecting the country’s biodiversity.

Port Oasis Ecopark, located in the Cartagena Cruise Terminal, is a center dedicated to the conservation of wild fauna that operates under a license granted by the Public Environmental Establishment (EPA, according to its initials in Spanish) – in accordance with Resolution 641 of October the 10th of 2012. This project’s mission is to research, conserve and rehabilitate specimens that have been rescued from trafficking and illegal possession.

This unique space recreates a forest in the middle of the city and amidst port operations, acting as a lung of greenery that provides an adequate habitat for the recovery and rehabilitation of over 1,000 animals; it also offers cruise passengers an educational space to learn about Colombian biodiversity.

“We’re profoundly honored to accept this acknowledgement, which reflects our constant commitment to the protection of wildlife and the environment. Port Oasis Ecopark is a symbol of our dedication to sustainability and the well-being of the species under our protection”, declared Alfonso Salas Trujillo, general manager of the Port of Cartagena Group.

Other nominees in the Biodiversity category were the Corporation Concession Santa Marta Paraguachón, Gas Transporter of Peru (TGP, according to its initials in Spanish), Magdalena River Highway and Odinsa S.A.

One of the main objectives of Port Oasis Ecopark is to support the country’s environmental institutions in the fight against wildlife trafficking and animal abuse. This space admits animals that have been seized by the authorities, which are later taken care of by a team of professionals, experts in veterinary medicine, biology and zootechnics. They work tirelessly to guarantee the health, well-being and recovery of every single specimen, whether they’re eventually released or admitted for permanent protection in Port Oasis.

 About GRI Infra Awards Andean 2024

The GRI Infra Awards Andean 2024 are the most prominent accolades in sustainable infrastructure development in the Andean Region. Organized by the GRI Club, these awards seek to highlight the actions and initiatives that help the countries in the region to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals and drive economic development forward.

About Port of Cartagena Group
With two maritime terminals, Cartagena Regional Port Society and Contecar, Port of Cartagena Group has become established as the logistical and port platform par excellence of the Great Caribbean. It has been classified by the ECLAC as the port with the highest cargo movement in Latin America and by the UNCTAD as the port with the highest connectivity in the region. Port of Cartagena Group is also the main export platform of Colombia, and has been acknowledged as one of the best workplaces in Colombia and Latin America by the Great Place to Work initiative. Additionally, Standard & Poor’s and the World Bank rank it first in the continent and third worldwide in their Cargo Container Performance Index.