Why jaguar selfies are good news for conservation in Yucatán
A recent increase in photographs of jaguars taken with camera traps suggests Yucatán’s jaguar population continues to recover after decades of being on the decline.
Camera traps work by using a motion detector to trigger a camera when an animal moves within its range. This allows researchers to capture images or videos of jaguars without being physically present.
Recent studies estimate that roughly 2,000 jaguars live in the Yucatán Peninsula out of approximately 4,800 in the entire country.
These numbers may not sound that big, but just a decade ago, jaguars in Yucatán were believed to be below a thousand.
Jaguars need a lot of space to roam. Males require between 20 and 40 square miles, and females roughly eight to 40 square miles.
Among the factors credited with the increase in jaguar populations include the creation of protected biospheres like those surrounding Celestun, wildlife corridors under highways and train tracks, and community efforts that foster a sense of stewardship over these incredible creatures.
Mitigating human-wildlife conflict has also proven key, as in the past, jaguars were often shot on sight when spotted near livestock such as pigs or cattle.
Proof of changing attitudes was on full display just a few days ago when a family of cattle ranchers near Tizimín decided to photograph a family of jaguars on their property instead of shooting them.
“These animals have as much right to be here as we do; they are an important part of the ecosystem and have been sacred to this land for thousands of years. It’s our duty to protect them,” Jorge D told TV Azteca.
In Maya mythology and cosmology, the jaguar held a position of profound significance. It embodied power, mystery, and a connection to the spiritual realm. Known as Balam in the Mayan language, the jaguar was more than just a predator; it was a deity, a symbol of strength, and a link between the earthly and supernatural worlds.
Jaguars and large jungle cats, including ocelots, have recently been spotted in the outskirts of cities as large as Mérida and Valladolid, but in urban centers as dense as these, the endings of these encounters tend to be a lot less uplifting.
While poaching does remain a problem, the number of jaguar hides on the black market appears to have dropped considerably, likely due to the stiff fines and prison sentences being doled out by authorities.
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer, adventure leader, and PhD candidate. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds multimedia, philosophy, and translation degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.
