"The spirit of man", the wandra in the Embera language, the burba in Guna, all describe one creature. The majestic jaguar is an apex predator whose presence in their ecosystem is vital for healthy and functional plant and animal communities. Jaguars can be found in 18 Latin American countries, with nearly 80% of the entire jaguar population living in Brazil, a country that contains half of the Amazon and hosts the largest collective habitat area for this feline.
A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) study concluded that this big cat offers about 13 different environmental services that benefit more than 46 million people, from crop pollination to climate regulation. However, connectivity between jaguar populations is being lost at local and regional scales, and populations are being cut off from one another. Jaguars face threats such as habitat loss, illegal hunting, and conflict with humans. Because of this, this species has lost 50% of their historical distribution. They are even declared extinct in El Salvador and Uruguay.
In an unprecedented effort in 2018, 14 of the 18 countries in “The Jaguar Corridor” (the most extensive biological corridor in the Americas), along with NGOs and intergovernmental organizations, adopted the Jaguar 2030 Roadmap. The Roadmap includes proposals that mitigate human-jaguar conflict, connect and protect jaguar habitats, support the well-being of communities and Indigenous Peoples, and more. This was a crucial step to protecting this iconic species; however, its implementation has faced some challenges and has so far reported minimal progress. In response, WWF launched the #JaguarKing campaign this year, urging governments in Latin America to fulfill their commitment to the Jaguar 2030 Roadmap. This regional and digital campaign makes the call to save the a culturally significant species that has captivated communities for centuries and inspired origin myths of pre-Hispanic cultures. sources wwf
A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) study concluded that this big cat offers about 13 different environmental services that benefit more than 46 million people, from crop pollination to climate regulation. However, connectivity between jaguar populations is being lost at local and regional scales, and populations are being cut off from one another. Jaguars face threats such as habitat loss, illegal hunting, and conflict with humans. Because of this, this species has lost 50% of their historical distribution. They are even declared extinct in El Salvador and Uruguay.
In an unprecedented effort in 2018, 14 of the 18 countries in “The Jaguar Corridor” (the most extensive biological corridor in the Americas), along with NGOs and intergovernmental organizations, adopted the Jaguar 2030 Roadmap. The Roadmap includes proposals that mitigate human-jaguar conflict, connect and protect jaguar habitats, support the well-being of communities and Indigenous Peoples, and more. This was a crucial step to protecting this iconic species; however, its implementation has faced some challenges and has so far reported minimal progress. In response, WWF launched the #JaguarKing campaign this year, urging governments in Latin America to fulfill their commitment to the Jaguar 2030 Roadmap. This regional and digital campaign makes the call to save the a culturally significant species that has captivated communities for centuries and inspired origin myths of pre-Hispanic cultures. sources wwf
ocelots (->)
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Hunting AbilitiesThese largely nocturnal cats use keen sight and hearing to hunt rabbits, rodents, iguanas, fish, and frogs. They also take to the trees and stalk monkeys or birds. Unlike many cats, they do not avoid water and can swim well.
Like other cats, ocelots are adapted for eating meat. They have pointed fangs used to deliver a killing bite, and sharp back teeth that can tear food like scissors. Ocelots do not have teeth appropriate for chewing, so they tear their food to pieces and swallow it whole. Their raspy tongues can clean a bone of every last tasty morsel. HabitatMany ocelots live under the leafy canopies of South American rain forests, but they also inhabit brushlands and can be found as far north as Texas. These cats can adapt to human habitats and are sometimes found in the vicinity of villages or other settlements. ConservationOcelots' fine fur has made them the target of countless hunters, and in many areas they are quite rare, including Texas, where they are endangered. Ocelots are protected in the United States and most other countries where they live. Female ocelots have litters of two or three darkly colored kittens. In northern locations females den in the autumn, while in tropical climes the breeding season may not be fixed. |
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