December 2009

In the Yungas are still relatively large areas of forest where the jaguar survive, more specifically in the area of the Upper Bermejo River Basin.

These forests form a still continuing mosaic on both sides of the river, the international boundary, linking the northern forests of Salta province (Argentina) and those from the southern of Tarija department (Bolivia).

Similarly, also on both sides there is a growing human activity that is generating pressure on the environment and threatens the forest connectivity of Binational Corridor Baritú-Tariquía.

This name is because within it are important protected areas (Baritú National Park in Argentina and Tariquía National Wildlife Reserve in Bolivia). Both keep our jaguars, but neither by themselves may harbor a population large enough to ensure the species viability for the long-term in the area.

That is why it is crucial to ensure the connectivity of the forest between Baritú and Tariquía, ti maintain it in good condition so the jaguar (and all other wildlife) can move through it between the two protected areas and thereby secure the contact between individuals and the necessary genetic exchange that requires a healthy population.

Currently little is known about the use of the corridor by the jaguar and if its movements ensures contact between individuals. So a project was developed with the aim of studying the area's potential for conservation of the species in the long term, identify key sites within the corridor and promote the protection of these to enable the flow of individuals from one extreme to another.

This project is led by biologist Cuyckens and because of being a key issue for this area, where the Red Yaguareté is making efforts in recent years, we have joined the initiative, bringing all our knowledge of the field, people and the area in general.

We are currently conducting expeditions in the area of the corridor to identify informants, local residents (mostly farmers) who travel frequently with a sector of the corridor and know how to identify the footprints of the jaguar and its main prey, we are conducting semi-structured surveys, inquiring about the past records of jaguar and their prey and on local perceptions towards the cat.

Once the collection of information is completed, it will be analyzed with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and ecological niche models.

The project also has significant support from Panthera Foundation, Claudia Oller and Fundación Prometa, Marcela Zamora, Ivan Arnoldts and Fundación Nativa, Marcelo Montero and SERNAP.