The Jaguar (Panthera onca) is considered the largest feline in Latin America and a keystone species for maintaining ecosystem balance. Thanks to the camera traps installed in our Nature Reserves, we have recorded video footage of a Jaguar in our ProAves El Jaguar Reserve, located in the municipality of Mapiripán, Meta.
This sighting confirms the strategic role of our Reserve as a key ecological corridor for the survival of one of the most iconic and enigmatic big cats in the world. It also highlights the Jaguar’s importance in maintaining ecosystem health, as it helps regulate populations of other species and contributes to the well-being of forests.
Despite these encouraging records, the Jaguar is facing a worrying decline in Colombia. According to reports by media outlets such as Mongabay, the species has lost around 39% of its habitat over the past decade due to deforestation, hunting, and habitat fragmentation. In this context, the protection of its biological corridors is crucial to reversing this trend and ensuring its long-term conservation.
This recent camera trap record is compelling evidence of the impact of our conservation efforts and the good health of the ecosystems we protect. Over the years, ProAves has established three strategic reserves in the Amazon region: El Jaguar, Águila Arpía, and Halcón Colorado. These protected areas not only safeguard the Jaguar but also provide refuge for other emblematic species such as the Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and the Giant River Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), all inhabitants of this vital region of the world, known for its rich biodiversity.
Each new record of these important wildlife species strengthens our commitment to conserving these biological corridors and inspires us to engage new allies in securing a safe future for the Jaguar and many other species in Colombia.
