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JAGUAR OF THE NORTH
Introduction
Huasabas Sahuaripa
Bacatete
Alamos
Introduction
The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the biggest feline in America and one of the endangered species that Naturalia, AC seeks to protect. Its distribution comprises from the jungles of Southeast Mexico up to the arid state of Sonora, a habitat very different from what we would imagine this majestic predator would live in.
In order to preserve the jaguar in Sonora, Naturalia AC performs activities aimed to protect its habitat and aid rural and indigenous communities to explore ways to coexist with the jaguar and other large carnivors.
According to Dr. Carlos Lopez from the University of Queretaro and an avid collaborator of Naturalia AC, the population of jaguars in Sonora was only of three in 2001 and occupied the following regions:
Huasabas Sahuaripa
The biggest jaguar population is the one living in Huasabas-Sahuaripa located in the central region of the state. To ensure that poaching and habitat loss do not end with its population, Naturalia, AC has established a private reserve called Northern Jaguar Reserve, with 44,478 acres of extension in the municipality of Sahuaripa, Sonora. Additionally, nearby the reserve, Naturalia AC began a project called “Fotografias para convivir con felinos” ("Pictures to coexist with felines") seeking to help the neighboring ranchers to live harmoniously with jaguars and other big felines, while providing valuable information about the region and its wildlife.
Finally, this year we have begun activities to help farmers to get federal grants that could be channeled to the transformation of the farms in sustainable operations that are "friendly" to big predators like the jaguar and puma. We have named this project "Ranchos biodiversos" (biodiverse ranches).
Bacatete
The smallest and most vulnerable populations of jaguars in Sonora are in the Sierra Bacatete, within the territory of the Yoeme tribe (Yaqui as they were denominated later).
Since 2007, Naturalia AC, through the project “Reservas hermanas para el Jaguar” (Sister Reserves for the Jaguar), works with the traditional tribal authorities and the civil association of Yoeme women, Jamuto Boo'o which means "The path of women", to strengthen its capacity for conservation and provide environmental education to all tribe members. The aim of this project is to develop a plan for the establishment of a community reserve for the jaguar, managed by the authorities and members of the tribe and in coordination with the Northern Jaguar Reserve.
Alamos
The third and least studied jaguar population of the state, lies within and in the surrounding areas of the Protected Natural Area (PNA) "Sierra de Alamos - Río Cuchujaqui" managed by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). Naturalia AC collaborates with CONANP facilitating a study team that will soon begin monitoring jaguars in the municipalities to the north of this PNA, hence having a better comprehension of their relationship with the Huasabas Sahuaripa population.
Contact: sonora@naturalia.org.mx
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