Jaguar Directory

[Balam]

NORTHERN PANTANAL:

"Happy International Jaguar Day from the Jaguar Identification Project!

We want to share with you some of the statistics we have collected comparing last year 2019 to 2020. ?

This year the Pantanal experienced the largest wildfires in the last 60 years. Seeing the fires move across the region burning everything in its path, was terrifying to think what could be happening to not just the jaguars but all the wildlife in the Pantanal.

But what we saw when we got there is; hope, strength and resilience. With the help of biologist, volunteers, guides and boat drivers we have been able to confirm 66 individuals since the time the fires calmed in September. In 2019, before the fires, our end of the year jaguar report concluded with 73 individuals. Though these numbers are not identical, they are very very close.

It’s important to note that the Jaguar ID project mainly uses citizen science to collect information on known individuals and this year with the travel bans due to COVID-19 and the fires the region didn't receive 1/8th of the number of tourist in they would during a normal year. Meaning the number of eyes in the river was much lower.

We also want to share with you that, as of now, there is no confirmed evidence of a single jaguar dying from the fires. There were lots of rumors and media grabbing ahold of the story of the few jaguars rescued in the region. One of which, Ousado has been released back in his home and the other, Amanaci, is still in recovery. Many jaguars we saw after the fires showed evidence of possible injuries from the fires, but jaguars along with the entire cat family have incredible abilities to heal on their own.

PLEASE don't take us wrong, what happened in the Pantanal is NOT okay, and we do not know the long term effects. But what we do know jaguars in this region are okay. And we cant wait to have you all back next year!"

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

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