In June, the UNDP’s favourite climate activist - Frankie the Dino - paid a visit to Colombia to get to the bottom of whether in Colombia they Don’t Choose Extinction.
Alongside partners UNDP, EarthX, PVBLIC Foundation and the Colombian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Frankie travelled far and wide to see first-hand some of Colombia’s amazing environmental projects, and, to meet the people behind them.
What they found is a nation which understands the responsibilities that come with being a megadiverse nation and that is committed to climate action and conservation.
Frankie’s first stop was the Chingaza National Park, one of the most important geographic regions for wildlife in Colombia and the source of 80 percent of Bogota’s drinking water.
There they met Frailejón Ernesto Pérez, Colombia’s very own climate mascot, who shared insight with Frankie about the importance of the Frailejones plant and the interconnectedness of Colombia’s vast biodiversity.
The Frailejones, also known as the Espeletia, capture water vapor from passing clouds, releasing water into the soil through its roots in a process integral to the formation of mountain rivers and lakes.
Yet because of intensive agricultural farming in the Parámo, and the effects of climate change, the Frailejones has become endangered. We are all thankful for the work Frailejón Ernesto Pérez and his team are doing to spotlight this issue and wish them well in this important campaign.
Feeling inspired by the day’s conversations and all the amazing wildlife they had seen, Frankie travelled to Bogota to visit local radio stations. There Frankie and collaborators talked about the Don’t Choose Extinction campaign and the purpose of the visit, whilst also fostering meaningful conversations about environmental conservation.
On the next day Frankie had an important date with Susana Muhamad, the Colombian Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development. Together they carried the Don’t Choose Extinction banner through the busy streets of Bogota, igniting discussions on topics such as deforestation, wildlife protection, and sustainable practices.
Something was different, however. Frankie later found out that on each Sunday for several hours, typically busy roads in the capital are reserved for walkers and cyclists in an initiative called Ciclovía or Bicycle Way. Frankie thought it a “great way to reduce emissions and open up urban spaces to our communities”.
Despite a busy schedule, Frankie wanted to make sure they could personally thank the UNDP’s Colombian colleagues for the instrumental role they played in getting Frankie to Colombia and all the amazing work they do. At the UNDP’s Colombia office, Frankie was overjoyed to be again joined by Frailejón Ernesto Pérez, stomping, and dancing the afternoon away with children and staff.
Frankie’s next stop was the centre of political power – the Colombian National Congress! He delivered an impassioned speech to political representatives about climate action, reinforcing the notion that everyone can contribute to a sustainable future.
“Save the forest, do not deforest it; save your species and tackle climate change… extinguish the excuses and not your own species!” – Frankie the Dino
Never one to shy away from an occasion, Frankie followed up their speech by talking with representatives and answering questions from the media alongside Susana Muhamad.
A natural under the spotlight, it’s almost like Frankie has done this before!
Very kindly, Día a Día, a TV show, welcomed Frankie and the UNDP’s Environment and Sustainable Development Manager Jimena Puyana, with Jimena effortlessly translating ‘Raptorish’ roars into eloquent Spanish.
Whilst ‘día a día’ translates to day to day, it's not every day you get to see a dinosaur getting interviewed on your screens!
Spreading the Don’t Choose Extinction message in Colombia was one of the core objectives of Frankie’s visit, but not the only one.
Connecting with changemakers and spotlighting the amazing work they do was just as important, which is why Frankie visited the Agencia de Desarollo Rural (Rural Development Agency) and the Agencia Nacional de Tierras (National Land Agency).
There Frankie heard about the agencies’ commitment to continuing to promote conservation and sustainable development in Colombia.
On the final day, Frankie was invited to the FIMA, an international fair which promotes sustainability and environmental care in Latin America by bringing together representatives from Indigenous communities, academia, communities, and businesses.
After all the speeches and interviews, dancing, and prancing, FIMA was a welcomed listening opportunity for Frankie. One highlight was speaking with Colombian youth and the next generation of green entrepreneurs, conversations in which Frankie understood that the future of Colombia’s environment is in good hands, so long as they are nurtured and supported.
Frankie also met with the Colombian Vice President, Francia Márquez Mina at FIMA as she showed her support for the fair and its participants.
© 2026 United Nations Development Programme
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