The Jaguar (Panthera onca) is one of the Americas' most iconic species. With its distinctive coat and powerful bite, the panther is the third largest cat species in the world, measuring up to over six feet long.
The species has been of great significance to the mythologies and beliefs of numerous indigenous peoples throughout history and continues to hold great cultural importance to this day. Seeing the sheer majesty of these incredible creatures, it is not surprising that they have held such an important place in the hearts of such societies.
Today, the jaguar's range extends from the most southern parts of Arizona in the US, across Mexico and central America, through the Amazon rainforest and as far south as Paraguay and the northern fringes of Argentina. This adaptable species inhabits a wide variety of habitats but has a preference for tropical and subtropical forests and wetlands. Unusually for a cat, it is a good swimmer and lives a solitary life of stalking and ambushing a variety of prey species.
The Jaguar is one of the world's great ecosystem managers, with an important stabilising role in regulating populations of prey species and forming a niche as a 'keystone' predator species. Without keystone species such as jaguars (and many other examples), ecosystems will quickly lose their health, and severe environmental and ecological consequences can follow in rapid succession. That is why their conservation is so important.
Although at present, it is not endangered, it has been listed as 'Near Threatened' for almost two decades and, like many species throughout its range, is threatened by loss of habitat (and fragmentation thereof), poaching, and conflicts with ranchers in the Americas.
Our projects in Paraguay form an important part of a wider conservation effort to prevent deforestation within the jaguar's range and, through working with local stakeholders, seek to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and secure a future for this iconic species and many others.
As DGB Group, our sole purpose is to rebuild trust and serve the public by making the right information available to everyone. By subscribing to our mailing newsletter, you can get the latest tips and trends from DGB Group's expert team in your inbox. Sign up now and never miss the insights.
The Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was signed in December 2022 by 196 parties committed to halt..
Peatlands are essential ecosystems that cover 3% of the Earth's surface and are one of the largest n..
Blue carbon solutions are promising opportunities for conservation and carbon abatement in oceans an..
Boreal forests, also known as taiga, are among the largest terrestrial biomes, stretching across the..
We can help your company become more sustainable by allowing you to integrate trees into your business.