Oct 2, 20202 min read

Jaguar Prey Loss

Jaguars have been impacted by a reduction in their natural prey items. Their prey items are being over hunted (Panthera Jaguar, 2020). When there is a lack of natural prey jaguars are forced to prey on domestic animals and livestock, which only increases the conflict between humans and jaguars (Panthera Panthera onca, 2020). Habitat loss also results in a reduction of natural prey species (SDZG Jaguar, 2020).

Jaguars are very opportunistic hunters that stalk and ambush their prey, upon which they prey on several different types of species (SDZG Jaguar, 2020; WWF Top 10 Facts, 2020). They will even prey upon other predators like the caiman (WWF Top 10 Facts, 2020). It is believed that jaguars have over 85 different prey species (SDZG Jaguar, 2020). The jaguar has the most powerful bite out of all the big cats and their teeth can break through the hide of crocodilians and the shells of turtles (Wilber, 2020; WWF Top 10 Facts, 2020). Unlike the other big cats that kill their prey through a bite to the neck and suffocation, jaguars usually make their bite to the back of the skull (SDZG Jaguar, 2020; WWF Top 10 Facts, 2020).

Panama Wildlife Conservation states that jaguars and their prey populations are decreasing in Panama from habitat loss, deforestation, improper management and intensive poaching (PWC Jaguar Conservation, 2020). They also believe one main challenge of conservation is the lack of knowledge that people have about jaguars and other wildlife (PWC Jaguar Conservation, 2020).Panama Wildlife Conservation focuses on the conservation of biodiversity, animal species and their habitats (PWC Who We Are, 2020). They work with locals to understand the conflicts ranchers have with jaguars and ways on how to reduce that conflict (PWC Panama, 2020). Their project radio collars jaguars to learn more about them and their behaviors (PWC Panama, 2020). Their goal is to reduce the motivation ranchers have to kill jaguars and promote tolerance for them (PWC Panama, 2020).