During the last two weeks authorities from the Conservation Area Arenal-Tempisque (ACAT) part of the National System of Areas of Conservation (SINAC-MINAE) has seize a large amount of illegal wood and machinery and equipment used for logging.

The operations to control the illegal logging will continue in the sector of Abangares, during the end and beginning of the year. All cases reported have been transferred to the Public Ministry to follow the corresponding legal process.

According to authorities, the tendency is to cut down trees of large size, the preferred species are Guanacaste (Caro Caro), Cedro (Cedar) and Cenizaro (Samanea saman), trees for wood of high commercial value. These trees are cut down without permits and in forest areas close to rivers in which the law prohibits and punishes this activity.

Logging is a common problem in many of the Protected Areas of Costa Rica since the areas are generally extensive and the number of park rangers insufficient.