As top predators, carnivores are the keystone of any healthy ecosystem, but hunting and habitat loss threaten their survival in Nicaragua. Over the past few months, local farmers have reported numerous jaguar and puma sightings to Paso Pacifico biologists, while Paso Pacifico staff have directly observed large cat tracks and sighted smaller carnivores such as Ocelots and Jaguarundis.
This year, Paso Pacifico will be working to validate the presence of Jaguars and Pumas in the Paso del Istmo Biological Corridor through targeted interviews and field surveys. The Paso del Istmo Biological Corridor borders the Jaguar Conservation Unit, which is a high priority within the regional Jaguar Conservation Initiative. As the Paso del Istmo and Jaguar Conservation Unit are not separated by any major geographic barriers, the Conservation Unit has the potential to serve as a ‘source’ for the recovery of the jaguar population in Nicaragua.
Meanwhile, Paso Pacifico is also working to reduce the number of large cats that are killed by farmers through public awareness campaigns such as movie nights in remote villages, which bring communities together to watch educational films while learning about the negative impacts of wildlife trafficking. By rebuilding forest habitat, creating new protected areas, and educating the local communities, Paso Pacifico is building a space for the safe return of the jaguar to the Paso del Istmo.