'We're winning a battle': Mexico's jaguar numbers up 30% in conservation drive
9 days ago
- #Mexico
- #jaguars
- #wildlife-conservation
- In 2010, Gerardo Ceballos and his team conducted Mexico's first jaguar census, estimating 4,100 jaguars, far more than the expected 1,000.
- By 2024, the jaguar population in Mexico increased by 30% to 5,326, showing significant conservation progress.
- The census covered 414,000 hectares using 920 cameras and involved nearly 50 researchers, making it Mexico's largest mammal census.
- Key factors for population growth include protected areas, reduced rancher conflicts, and public awareness campaigns.
- Despite progress, deforestation (600,000 hectares lost in six years) and habitat loss remain major threats.
- Other challenges include illegal trade of jaguar parts, highway construction, rancher conflicts, and disease spread from domesticated animals.
- Ceballos aims to reduce the time for jaguars to no longer be at risk from 25-30 years to 15 years with stronger conservation efforts.