Wildfires And Habitat Loss Are Killing Jaguars In The Amazon Rainforest

Often called the "lungs of the Earth," the Amazon rainforest spans nine countries, but about 60% lies in Brazil. In recent years, disastrous fires, caused mainly by humans, have engulfed extensive tracts of this precious forest and killed its wild inhabitants in thousands. These fires have plundered the natural wealth of vast sections of the Amazon, making a mockery of millions of years of evolution.

Amazon On The Edge

The Amazon rainforest has incredible biodiversity. It is the world's most biodiverse ecosystem hosting around 10% of the global species. It is the birthplace of innumerable small rivers and streams that give rise to the mighty Amazon River that supports millions of human and animal lives in its basin area. About 3 million indigenous inhabitants of the Amazon also depend on the forest for their survival.

Jaguar Loss Acts As An Alarm Bell

Female jaguar later injured in wildfires in Brazil captured by a camera trap. Image credit Jaguar Identification Project/Panthera

The Fires Of Greed

Forest fires, set up by potential land-invaders, advancing quickly on the Amazon forested part of Fazenda São Marcelo, they were successfully contained later on, in this 11,000 hectares forested conservation/reserved area. Image credit: Rafael Hoogesteijn/Fernando Tortato/Panthera

The Way Out

The rapid loss of the Amazon rainforest concerns the world, but the latest facts and figures are not encouraging. Implementing sound conservation strategies to protect the Amazon's umbrella species, the jaguars could be one of the ways to bring about positive change. Panthera scientists suggest strict monitoring of the rainforest's jaguar population and costly conservation interventions in areas with the greatest number of jaguars. They also recommend creating more protected areas, reducing meat consumption, promoting beef and wood certification, and improving cattle production.

Jaguar Loss Acts As An Alarm Bell

Female jaguar later injured in wildfires in Brazil captured by a camera trap. Image credit Jaguar Identification Project/Panthera

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

The jaguar is one of the strongest animals in the world. It is one of the big cats strong enough to kill other apex predators across its huge range in Central and South America4. Adult males can weigh 350 pounds and grow up to 9 feet long.

The bite force of a jaguar is 1,500 psi. That is enough force to break through turtle shells, cut through crocodile skin and crush human bones. Jaguars can run at a speed of 80 km per hour. They will hunt almost any animal, even those twice their own body weight.

Wildfires And Habitat Loss Are Killing Jaguars In The Amazon Rainforest

Often called the "lungs of the Earth," the Amazon rainforest spans nine countries, but about 60% lies in Brazil. In recent years, disastrous fires, caused mainly by humans, have engulfed extensive tracts of this precious forest and killed its wild inhabitants in thousands. These fires have plundered the natural wealth of vast sections of the Amazon, making a mockery of millions of years of evolution.

Jaguar Loss Acts As An Alarm Bell

Female jaguar later injured in wildfires in Brazil captured by a camera trap. Image credit Jaguar Identification Project/Panthera