Title
Jaguars and farmers in the Buffer Zone of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Guatemala: tools for improving coexistence
Author(s)
García-Anleu, Rony; Ponce-Santizo, Gabriela; Rodas, Aldo; Cabrera, Ocscar; McNab, Roan B.; Polisar, John; Lepe, Manuel
Published
2017
Abstract
The conservation of the jaguar throughout its range requires effective reserves and improved coexistence between humans and jaguars at their edges. Reserve boundaries should not become population sinks, facilitating dispersal between potential corridors. This requires education that results in increased tolerance to jaguars and the adoption of practices that reduce jaguar attacks on livestock. The 21,000 km² Maya Biosphere Reserve (Guatemala) is the largest protected area in Mesoamerica and 24% of its buffer zone is dedicated to sustainable agriculture and natural resource use. In conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), 234 small farmers were organized into Learning Centers for Rural Development. Information was shared with them on the factors that increase jaguar attacks on livestock and methods to reduce them, and at the same time, technical support was given in the production of multi-nutritional blocks, construction of improved watering places, fodder banks and assistance to be included in the national system of payments for environmental services. The synergy of development and conservation actors resulted in the adoption of practices between ranchers and the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP). Range-wide jaguar conservation requires effective reserves and improved human-jaguar coexistence on their edges. Reserve borders must not become population sinks, and should facilitate jaguar dispersal into potential corridors. This requires education that results in increased tolerance for jaguars and the adoption of practices that reduce jaguar attacks on livestock. The 21,000 km² Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR) is the largest protected area in Mesoamerica, and 24% is a buffer zone dedicated to sustainable agriculture and natural resource use. Uniting with the Ministry of Agriculture we organized 234 small livestock producers (average 16 head of cattle) in Centers of Learning for Rural Development. We shared information about the factors that increase jaguar attacks on livestock, and methods to reduce them, while delivering hands on technical training in the production of multi-nutritional blocks that increase production and attract cattle into safe night pastures, construction of hill top ponds used to direct water to tanks in safe pastures, development of forage banks, and assisted rancher's entrance into a national system of payments for environmental services. The synergy of development and conservation actors delivering technical assistance for small producers resulted in the adoption of practices, and vastly improved communication between ranchers and the National Council of Protected Areas.
Keywords
Conservation; Livestock; Panthera onca; Conservation; Conservation; Cattle ranching; Maya Forest; Mesoamerica; Mesoamerica; Selva Maya; Selva Maya

Access Full Text

A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.



Back

PUB26910