Expansion Image of the Week: 263 Animals Rescued by the Panama Canal Authority

RESCUED ANIMALS RELOCATED AS PART OF ACP’S EFFORTS TO PROTECT WILDLIFE

PANAMA CITY, Panama, April 29, 2008 – As part of the Panama Canal Authority’s (ACP) efforts to protect wildlife as the Expansion Program moves forward, more than 263 animals have been rescued, examined and relocated to protected areas near the Canal.

During the execution of the first two dry excavation contracts for the Pacific locks access channel, the ACP has surveyed more than 356 hectares for endangered wildlife and recovered several species of mammals and reptiles. This week, Canal personnel rescued a female crocodile and released it in Gatun Lake where a population of the same species is already established.

The ACP will execute similar actions before, during and after other expansion contracts, following the Environmental Management Plan specified in the approved environmental impact study designed to protect the Canal’s biodiversity.

About the Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
The ACP is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the ACP is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors. For more information, please refer to the ACP’s Web site: http://www.pancanal.com/.