IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Anonymous, | |
| Project Jaguar: Fostering International Cooperation for Jaguar Conservation in Venezuela | |
| 2003 Full Book | |
Hato Callejas is a private propriety dedicated to the production of cattle and water buffalo. The extension of the ranch is about 25,000 hectares of which approximately 40% is covered by riparian forest. This important private land extension is occupied by jaguars, where the species have been strictly protected by the owners. Theoretically jaguars are also protected by Venezuelan environmental laws and their hunting is strictly forbidden. The Venezuelan government has decreed numerous protected areas to protect jaguar's habitat and other species facing conservation problems. However, habitat loss and illegal hunting continue being the main extinction factors for the jaguar. Jaguars are "relatively common" in Hato Callejas but beyond empirical information, it is necessary to know their density and habitat requirements in order to design strategies for their long-term conservation. That is particularly relevant when we consider that during last decades, hundreds of immigrants have settled in those areas surrounding to Hato Callejas, increasing both the fragmentation through deforestation and the likelihood of conflict between human activities and jaguars. Jaguar conservation will depend greatly of non-governmental initiatives such as the creation of private reserves in a managed landscape system. As first step to promote the creation of a private reserve for jaguars, we will begin a basic study about jaguar ecology and conservation status in Hato Callejas. Through this step, we could understand which major problems faced by the jaguars in the area. We choose Hato Callejas because does exist numerous reports of jaguar sightings, there is the presence of large tracks of forests in the area, the relatively good logistic facilities to reach the area, its biological relevance and the wish of the owner (Don RamĒn Moser) in to collaborate with the jaguar protection. This area will provide us with an unique opportunity to study jaguar in one of the largest remaining tropical forest patch in Barinas State. Through this study we are specifically interested in developing a comprehensive long-term conservation program for jaguars at a regional scale. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |