The Jaguar Network

We are a Non Profit Organization whose main goal is the conservation of the largest cat in the Americas, the jaguar or “yaguarete” as well as the habitats in which it still lives in Argentina, the subtropical forests in the north of our country.

All our members are naturalists by avocation although most of us practice professions unrelated to the Natural Sciences. However, the desire to participate actively on finding solutions to the problems faced by our natural habitats and, especially by the jaguar, inspired us –for lack of other venues- to come together and form an independent group that started as a simple web page. Later, after several informal meetings and with growing commitment, it moved us to play an active role on the conservation and future of our native tiger.

Consequently we are in the process of creating a National Strategy for Conservation of the Jaguar.

The problems faced by the jaguar are various and complex, (loss and degradation of habitat, indiscriminate hunting, conflicts with human, illegal commerce, etc.) Therefore, our efforts to carry out this mission will use an integrated vision by means of a variety of actions that try to cover all possible angles to accomplish our goals. This is a very big effort.

Conservation Advocacy. Performing concrete actions to preserve the species and its habitats, by means of:

• Advocacy: before government agencies to urge support, criticize or propose measures related to protected areas, poaching, timber cutting, etc. Supporting and advising land owners about the goals of conservation and/or sustainable use.

• Collection of data, analysis, assessments and proposals to improve legislation and policies about the jaguar and/or its environment, strengthening effective implementation of such legislation.

• Participation on workshops and pertinent technical sessions.

Education and popularization: We try to raise awareness of the importance of preserving our last forests, habitat for the jaguar and other endangered species. We take actions to educate people of all ages and from all spheres over the need, importance and value of the conservation of the jaguar and its habitats.

Our main organ of information is our web site with the most up to date information on the jaguar and its environment available in Internet. It is visited by thousands monthly. This medium provides contact among people working or, willing to work, with the species, or interested on its conservation. It gives information to the general public as well as the specialist. This is our main link with all our different publics. We try to help people to re-learn the value of the jaguar.

• “Novedades Tigreras” Our free electronic newsletter reaches thousands of subscribers monthly.

• Community Outreach: We produce brochures, posters, radio spots, etc. They provide general information about the species and its distribution emphasizing its endangered status and the need for protection. They are ordinarily distributed among small conservation groups and residents of the three main jaguar areas of our country as well among the members of the NETWORK at a variety of locations.

• Educational Booklet: “Nuestro Compadre, el Yaguarete” (“Our Friend the Jaguar”) to be distributed among students of rural schools of the regions where there are still jaguars.
   

• Popularization talks: Speakers are available to spread information about our native tiger, its habitats and the challenges of its conservation.

Research: We perform field work and analysis of various kinds in order to know more about our tiger, its habits and the dangers that it faces in different areas. We are constantly updating the distribution of the species in our country, trying to deepen our knowledge about places of special interest for the species.

Defensive actions: We are constantly alert about threats to the jaguar and its environment and ready to perform acts of protest and consciousness raising of the general public, quick response large meetings, contact with the media and communication with other NGOs.

Involvement: Of all interested parties regardless of training or profession. Thus the concept of network acquires larger significance. More and more cities and towns coalesce in small groups of volunteer protectors of the jaguar and its environment and pass their message to more people.

The only requirements to join are honesty, commitment and the desire to learn and to work.

Translated from Spanish by Beatriz Moisset and Lorraine Anton
Willow Grove, Pensylvania, USA.
Red Yaguareté.

If you are interested you can join free the
Red Yaguareté (Jaguar Network).