The Jaguar in Iberá

[Balam]

REWILDING, OR THE RETURN OF ECOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS


The rewilding process seeks to return species to their natural environments in abundant quantities to fulfill their ecological roles. Ultimately, rewilding aims at restoring the ecological interactions among species, thus making ecosystems healthy and functional again.

Predation is one of these interactions. Jaguars and marsh deer used to share their countries over millions of hectares in Argentina until around 100 years ago when human actions reduced their populations rampantly.

But in Iberá, in northeastern Argentina, marsh deer populations have recovered notably, and the jaguar has been reintroduced; in other words, both species are interacting again. In this video, the jaguar Juruna and her cubs feed for days on the remains of a marsh deer that Juruna took down. Thus, predator and prey fulfill their ecological roles once again.

Most likely, this scene does not occur anywhere else in Argentina. Nevertheless, we are working to return them to other ecosystems as well. Slowly but firmly, Iberá becomes more functional, vibrant, and complete.

Reply