Given the area's importance as a refuge for biodiversity, lack of scientific research in the zone is surprising. Only two studies have been officially recorded as of 1999 (Carlsen 1999), although there are other studies encompassing larger areas that do include the national park. As one would imagine, the manatees have received the most attention; research studying their abundance and distribution has been published since the 1970s (Mondolfi 1974; O'Shea and col. 1986, 1988; Mondolfi and Müller 1979; Proyecto Mermaid 1992). There is also one study of the giant otter (Ceballos y col. 2001) and several studies about the mangrove forests (for example, Pannier 1986; Pannier and Fraino 1989). Mammals have been studied, but mostly in general terms. Provita compiled a mammal list (1988) and there is a preliminary diagnostic of Sucre State Mammals (Correa 1981). This diagnostic is based on interviews with local inhabitants and from that, abundances of different species were estimated. Goodwin put together a partial list of the birds of Finca Vuelta Larga and surrounding areas (1990, see Ceballos and col. 2001) and Provita also elaborated a bird list (1988) building on the avian inventory of Sucre State by Medina and Rangel (1979).
The most recent studies have been conducted because of the petroleum exploration and exploitation, such as the Rapid Evaluation Program of Gulf of Paria and Orinoco Delta (Lasso and col. 2004) that includes detailed information on vegetation, fauna, and human impacts in the Gulf and Delta. While important in their own right, most of these studies have been carried out south of the mouth of the San Juan River, not in the park.
Since the 1960s, various researchers and technicians have been involved in the area's conservation. People like P. Bermúdez, M. Zewler, M. Correa, C. Muller, E. Mondolfi and E. Yerena were instrumental in recommending the area for protection, either as a fauna refuge or national park, emphasizing the presence of endangered species like the manatee and giant otter.
The foundation "Vuelta Larga" has worked in conservation, research, and ecotourism in the zone. The foundation has carried out many activities including reforestation, soil improvement, aquaculture, environmental education, radio programs, informative talks, and cultural activities. They have also made an important contribution to the study of abundance, distribution, and threats to manatee populations (project with Fudena, see Mondolfi and Müller 1979). They have also focused on the giant otter in the Park and buffer zone during field evaluations and interviews with locals. They have proposed both species as umbrella indicator species from which to gauge the state of conservation of the area. Their giant otter study was done under the framework of a detailed proposal to create the Centro de Conservación de Diversidad Zoológica (CCDZ, or Zoological Diversity Conservation Center) that includes among its proposed activities research support, environmental protection, and wildlife reproduction and reintroduction programs (Ceballos and col. 2001).
Provita's work, in collaboration with other institutions, is also notable (1988). They compiled all the technical and conservation information available on Turuépano. Their report synthesizing Turuépano's information proposed declaring the zone as a national park and emphasized its unique mangrove complex structural character, avian diversity, and its importance as a refuge for other species. Provita also coordinated a manatee conservation campaign between 1996 and 1997.
It should be noted that all these studies and proposals call for the need to protect Caño La Brea, which was not included in the park borders even though the area could be a key feeding ground for manatees during the dry season and it could be important for giant otter conservation (Mondolfi and Müller 1979; Provita 1988; Ceballos and col. 2001).
Finally, Universidad Simón Bolívar has conducted research on the reproductive biology of the butterfly Hylesia metabus, locally known as "palometa peluda." This species poses a public health threat because contact with its setae (hairs on its body) produces a severe allergic reaction in humans. The Ministry of Health and Social Development (Ministerio de Salud y Desarrollo Social) regularly fumigates to prevent this insect from proliferating. Fumigations are conducted within and outside of the protected area; no negative affects on biodiversity have been reported.
