Title
Jaguar Hunting and Trafficking in Mesoamerica: Recent Observations
Author(s)
Adrian Reuter; Leonardo Maffei; John Polisar; Jeremy Radachowsky
Published
2018
Abstract
Prior to 1975, a thriving international market in jaguar hides for the fur trade drove hunters into remote reaches of Mesoamerica and the Amazon, significantly depleting jaguar populations and putting the species at risk. In 1975, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) entered into force, prohibiting commercial trade and transport of jaguars and parts across international boundaries. CITES successfully shut down the fur trade and associated poaching, and jaguar populations began to rebound. Since that point, the main threats to the jaguar have been the destruction and degradation of jaguar habitat, reduction of natural prey through over-hunting, and direct killing of jaguars due to conflicts with ranchers. These factors have continued to place pressure on jaguar populations, but have been countered by the establishment of protected and managed areas using a mix of law enforcement and incentives to accomplish conservation goals. Where well executed, those efforts have led to jaguar population stability, and population increases in some areas. However, in 2010 evidence emerged that trade in jaguar parts in Latin America was resuming. First were reports of jaguars killed in the Guianas presumably to satisfy Asian demand of parts for jewelry, meat, and medicinal purposes. In 2014 in Bolivia, more than 750 canine teeth destined for China were intercepted, indicating a potential bold market for jaguar parts. In order to ascertain whether such an emerging trade existed in Mesoamerica, WCS contacted experts and authorities to solicit information on jaguar poaching and trafficking from across the region, from Mexico through Panama, and summarized 24 responses. For each country, we also collated relevant legislation, information on how to report a potential violation to authorities, examples of interceptions and legal cases, and management recommendations. Although the data presented have the inherent limitation of being second hand reports and observations rather than a focused investigation, this effort represents a significant step forward in our understanding of this situation in Mesoamerica. Conclusions: • Jaguar trafficking to Asia may be increasing: In four of the seven countries (Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama), there is concern that a formal national and international trade may be emerging, with anecdotal and largely unsubstantiated claims of potential links to Chinese/Asian populations and illegal markets for jaguar parts. • Most trade appears to be local: In all seven countries, respondents reported that local hunting and ranching were the current main drivers of jaguar poaching, largely driven by conflicts with ranchers and farmers due to perceived risk of livestock predation. • Jaguar/livestock conflict may enable trade: Retaliatory jaguar killing may create informal local markets for jaguar parts that can set the stage for emergence of formal international markets, incentivizing increased retaliatory killings and targeted jaguar poaching. • Laws, monitoring and enforcement need strengthening: Laws to protect jaguars and wildlife have significant gaps, and are often not effectively implemented or enforced. Recommendations: 1. Bring more attention to the devastating potentials of trade, both with national authorities and the general public. 2. Gather more information to understand the situation, including targeted investigations on poaching methods, online and local markets, networks, and forensic examination of dead and confiscated jaguars. 3. Increase enforcement and the successful prosecution of laws, through increased public investment and strengthening capacities of authorities along the enforcement chain, and development of effective communication mechanisms between enforcement authorities. 4. Work with ranchers and farmers to reduce conflicts with jaguars, through promotion of collaborative mechanisms to reduce conflicts and avoid killing of animals due to livestock predation.

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