Opportunities for Jaguar Research

 

The jaguar (Panthera onca), the largest cat of the Americas, is classed as near threatened by the IUCN species red list. Its populations are declining due to habitat destruction, prey depletion and direct persecution. In contrast to many other endangered carnivores, jaguar populations are still relatively large, contiguous and viable. This means that we need to develop effective conservation strategies now to ensure the long term survival of this charismatic cat.

 

Camera trap picture of jaguar in the Cockscomb Basin, Belize

(© WCS).

 

Camera trap picture of jaguar in the Cockscomb Basin, Belize (© WCS).

 

Collecting ecological data for the development of jaguar conservation strategies is hindered by the elusive nature of this cat, the low density at which they live and the difficult working conditions often associated with their habitat. Abundance estimates and ecological data are needed from across its range to focus conservation efforts effectively.

 

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) aims to fill the knowledge gap by establishing several long-term research sites across the jaguars range to study its ecology and develop reliable field methodologies for estimating jaguar abundance. Belize is a small Caribbean country beneath Mexico and to the east of Guatemala. Unlike its Central American neighbours Belize has 60% intact forest cover and a healthy jaguar population and so has been selected for long-term jaguar research. Country-wide research programs range from pure ecological research (e.g. spatial distribution and diet) to socio-economic aspects of jaguar-livestock conflict.

 

Map of the Belize indicating the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Inset shows view across the Basin (© Bart Harmsen).

 

 

One of the main focus sites in Belize is the “Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary” (CBWS), a 425km2 National Park with a history of jaguar research dating back to 1983. Using camera trap technology, 77 individual jaguars have been identified in and around the park since 2000, providing information about density, habitat use, spatial distribution and social structure. On-going scat collection has contributed over 500 samples to study jaguar and puma diet in the area. PhD student Rebecca Foster of Southampton University,

(http://www.soton.ac.uk/~rfoster/ , supervisor Dr. C. P. Doncaster, http://www.soton.ac.uk/~cpd/) is currently studying jaguars that utilise the unprotected human-dominated habitat neighbouring the park.

 

Camera trap picture of a puma in the Cockscomb Basin, Belize (© WCS).

 

Camera trap picture of white lipped peccary in the Cockscomb Basin, Belize (© WCS). Peccaries are important prey species for jaguars.

 

The on-going research aims:

1) develop new methodologies to estimate jaguar abundance reliably

2) monitor prey availability in relation to jaguar diet

3) understand mechanisms of coexistence with pumas (Puma concolor)

4) describe jaguar spatial distribution patterns

5) estimate jaguar life history parameters

6) understand movement patterns between the protected forests and the human-dominated landscape

7) investigate methods to mitigate human-jaguar conflict

 

On-site accommodation is available within the CBWS and assistance with funding can be discussed for serious potential students. Self-funded volunteer positions (minimum 4 months) will also be considered. If you are interested or would like to discuss potential projects, please e-mail Bart Harmsen (e-mail address below).

 

If you are interested in making a donation to support jaguar conservation and research in Belize, e-mail Bart Harmsen for further information on the NGOs that support such work (e-mail address below). 

 

Bart Harmsen checking a camera trap in the Cockscomb Basin,

Belize (© Bart Harmsen).

 

 

Bart Harmsen (Jaguar Research Coordinator WCS, in Belize)

bartjh@soton.ac.uk or bharmsen@wcs.org

Background: 2003 to 2006 PhD study: The use of camera traps for estimating abundance and studying the ecology of jaguars (Panthera onca). Southampton University, supervisor Dr C.P. Doncaster (http://www.soton.ac.uk/~cpd/ ). For more information on jaguar conservation work carried out by WCS see www.savethejaguar.com or www.wcs.org .