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#296

03-30-2021, 03:33 AM

Introducing the Jaguar M.F. Flash. PART 1

*This image is copyright of its original author

Source: Panthera Brasil

Rafael Hoogesteijn, Fernando Tortato and Allison Devlin of Panthera Brasil

February 11, 2019

''Here at the Fazenda Jofre Velho property of Panthera Brasil in the northern Pantanal, we coexist with a high population of jaguars. In fact, this region has one of the highest jaguar densities in all of Latin America, with around 8 individuals per 100 km2 according to recent studies done by our team. Because of the unusually high density of jaguars in Jofre, the local economy is driven in large part by seasonal ecotourism, something we’ve been studying and developing on our site and in collaboration with local tour operators.

M.F. Flash is a male jaguar we've seen often around the ranch on camera and in person.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Thanks to tourism and research, we’ve been able to identify and follow some interesting individual jaguars. There is one large male jaguar, who we call M.F. Flash, which frequently prowls around our ranch headquarters. He earned his name the very first time we captured him on camera trap when he sprinted by so quickly that, when we showed the video to one of the cowboys, he said “Flash!”. We’ve since seen him on multiple cameras throughout the property.

VIDEO

We consider this co-existence with jaguars a mixed blessing. On one hand, we hear the haunting bellows of these big cats in the deep silence late at night. We think of how lucky we are that we can experience the primeval call of the jaguar, and how fortunate we are to live in such a vibrant natural environment. We often see jaguar tracks and sometimes even the cats themselves. Each time we encounter a jaguar, we are captivated by their powerful presence and intense gaze.

On the other hand, for all their strength and beauty, the jaguars in this region can present a threat to local ranching livelihoods if we don’t learn to co-exist. The jaguars keep a persistent and intelligent pressure on us humans who invade their Pantanal Royal Realm. Nearly 80% of the Pantanal is dedicated to large-scale cattle ranches. Many of the year-round residents in the Jofre region, a good amount of whom are cattle ranchers, have expressed anger in response to the cats attempting to get through defenses to eat their domestic animals. For peasant riverine farmers and ranching families, a lost cow can be a lost fortune.

Nearly 80% of the Pantanal is dedicated to large-scale cattle ranches.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Despite this tension, it’s easy to become enamored with these cats we’ve come to know so well. We’ve seen M.F. Flash multiple times hanging around the paddock just behind the main ranch house, along our grass airstrip, probably lurking with the idea of snatching a newborn calf from its mother. Flash shares this territory with ocelots and pumas, though the smaller cats seem to stay out of Flash’s way. We know this because they’ve also shown up on the same cameras, although at different times.''

Here are the three Largest cats of America captured by Panthera's camera trap in one single place at different times in north pantanal.

Male Puma

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Female Ocelot with Cub

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M.F. Flash

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M.F FLASH MALE SIGHTING DURING SCHOOL CLASS.

This one must've been an amazing experience for the students for sure.

''Another time we spotted Flash in broad daylight near the forest edge by our headquarters. Elementary classes were in session at our resident Jofre Velho School. Maintaining a safe distance and viewing Flash through binoculars, we showed him to the schoolchildren. They watched as he guarded the carcass of a prey animal he had successfully hunted – a very unique and impromptu field trip for the students!

To encounter a jaguar in the wild is an experience unlike any other. Many people travel far and wide just for the chance to revel in its presence. While these sightings of M.F. Flash provide an amazing experience for those of us lucky enough to encounter him, it reminds us of the ever-present risk to livestock from jaguars like Flash. Panthera is continuing efforts to study how communities and cats can co-exist down here in the Pantanal.''

Here at the Fazenda Jofre Velho property of Panthera Brasil in the northern Pantanal, we coexist with a high population of jaguars.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Introducing the Jaguar M.F. Flash. PART 2

April 29, 2019

ENCOUNTERS OF PEOPLE WITH M.F FLASH MALE IN THE WOODS OF NORTH PANTANAL.

''In most of their range, jaguars are considered elusive and even secretive cats. However, down in the Pantanal they thrive and aren’t afraid to show themselves to us. In fact, we’ve gotten to know some of them as individuals including the charismatic M.F. Flash, so named because he was caught speeding by a camera trap. We’re extremely lucky because we get to see these wild cats frequently on camera and even in person as well. M.F. Flash himself is no stranger to the people of the ranch.

Our Ranch Manager Elizeu and the cowboys have encountered Flash many times during the day while riding on horseback. When Flash spots them, he gives them a serious look before slowly moving out of the way. He takes his time, showing no fear of the riders. Since our cowboys are experienced Pantaneiros, they treat him without fear and as part of their daily lives. These encounters are unique to the Pantanal where people have lived and worked alongside jaguars and other wildlife for centuries.

Here at the Fazenda Jofre Velho property of Panthera Brasil in the northern Pantanal, we coexist with a healthy population of jaguars.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Our cowboys had a recent encounter which offers a prime example of the jaguar’s preference to avoid confrontation. One day, one of our experienced ranch-hands, Clarindo, spotted Flash near a dead cow stuck in the mud. Due to deep water on either side of the road, Clarindo could not take a detour. Instead, he went quickly forward because he needed to round up a large cattle herd before sunset. Clarindo is an excellent cowboy and skilled at taming animals, big and small, old and young – from cows and horses, to buffalo and pigs.

Steadying himself firmly on his nervous horse’s saddle, Clarindo called out to Flash, “Oooh Cunhado! Sai daí que eu não posso-me desviar!” meaning “Hey Brother-in-Law! Get out of there since I cannot go around you!”

Flash looked at him, slowly walked forward out of the muddy pass, and disappeared into the nearby bushes. Clarindo finished rounding up the cattle and began the ride back to ranch headquarters. When he rode through the muddy pass, he met Flash yet again. Clarindo spoke the same words and Flash behaved the same way, calmly yielding to him.

*This image is copyright of its original author

In an effort to reduce jaguar predation on cattle herds and mitigate conflict with these magnificent apex predators, we have developed a system on our working ranch and research base in Jofre Velho. Each afternoon, the cattle are rounded up and enclosed in a large night corral along with 2 or 3 Pantaneiro bulls (a tough longhorn type of cattle breed brought over by Europeans) and 30 to 40 Indian water buffalo. These generally tame creatures are highly respected by the jaguars because of their penchant for aggressively confronting large predators. This system helps us generate income as well as experiment with anti-predation strategies, all while continuing Pantaneiro traditions.

Each afternoon, the cattle are rounded up and enclosed in a large night corral along with 2 or 3 Pantaneiro bulls and 30 to 40 Indian water buffalo.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Despite all our progress, predation of livestock to some degree is inevitable. M.F. Flash eats one or two domestic animals each month. These losses usually come from within our Panthera herd or from combined herds kept by some of our employees. Sometimes, we get frustrated by these predations. Once, in his irritation, Rafael even suggested to Elizeu that we use more drastic measures such as scaring him off with loud sounds or bright lights. To Rafael’s suggestion, Elizeu answered:

“This jaguar takes one or two animals per month, but he eats them completely, does not waste anything, nor does he do any wanton killing, and he alternates his occasional domestic prey with a lot of wild prey like capybara, and stacks of caiman (jacarés) that we have found in thickets at the edge of the Cuiabá River. If we harass him and he goes away, another jaguar can come in that can be more destructive than he is, and take a higher toll on our herd. So it is better that we leave him alone, and enjoy his irregular and respectful presence and company.”

Elizeu’s response surprised us and showed us how deeply the love for the jaguar is ingrained within the local community. Working together, we can facilitate a healthy neighborhood for people and cats alike down here in the Pantanal, preserving the unique biodiversity of the region while protecting the traditions of the communities who live here.''