Jaguar Paradise?

Human boundaries in conservation

management and consequences of limited protection
*David Aneurin Jones1, Sara Calçada1 and Rebeca Chaverri1
1
Global Vision International, Apartado Postal 78-7209, Cariari de Pococí, Limón.
70205 Costa Rica. E-mail: costarica@gvi.co.uk

Presented to the Defenders of Wildlife Carnivore Conference, United States of

America 2009.

Recent work in Costa Rica suggests that jaguar (Panthera onca) presence is
increasing on the beach of Tortuguero National Park, an area identified by Jaguars in
the New Millennium as being of high priority for jaguar conservation There are various
degrees of protection offered by the area, with the Indio-Maiz Wildlife Refuge in
Nicaragua to the adjoining Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, culminating in the
National Park at the southern most extent

The greater number of jaguar records inside the park have coincided with an
enormous increase in jaguar-predated green turtles (Chelonia mydas). One
suggestion for this phenomenon is that the staggered degrees of protection have
resulted in funneling species towards the haven of the National Park. Unfortunately, as
land use changes around the protected areas and vital habitat continues to disappear,
a perhaps inevitable and yet unprecedented conflict has arisen, which highlights the
limitations of protecting areas in isolation. Latest work indicates that the jaguar ranked
in the top three threats to one of the world’s largest nesting populations of C. mydas.
In an area famed for its turtles and associated conservation efforts, lack of scientific
understanding could result in a backward step for this vital jaguar population.

We discuss the theory and examine possible management strategies and areas of
investigation that could allow a greater degree of protection for both flagship species,
as it becomes clear that holistic measures are needed to avoid conflict with carnivores
as our natural habitats continue to shrink and disappear.

GVI Europe www.gvi.co.uk GVI North America www.gviusa.com GVI Australasia www.gviaustralia.com GVI Ireland www.gvi-ireland.com