Images of a jaguar were captured by a remote automatic camera set up in Central Mexico’s Sierra Nanchititla Natural Reserve.
The three photographs, plus some fecal samples, are the only evidence of the animal’s existence in the area for the last century. The big cat was photographed at just over 6,000 feet.
Lead researcher and study author, Octavio Monroy Vilchis remarked upon the importance of the discovery: “The photographs provide information about new recording sites, and allow us to deduce that the area where the animal was observed may be a corridor connecting jaguar populations.” Mr. Monroy Vilchis is a research fellow at the Universidad Autonomoa del Estado de Mexico.
It has been theorized that the big cats must move to higher ground (which is less trafficked by humans) in order to find viable territory for hunting and breeding. Habitat destruction and poaching have killed off most of the jaguars in Mexico. The jaguar’s survival as a species is considered to be near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Near threatened means a species could be considered under threat of extinction in the near future.
The researchers also conducted many interviews with inhabitants of the villages near the study area. None of the villagers reported ever seeing a jaguar. The remote camera took 1800 photographs and just three recorded the male cat.
You may also enjoy reading: How Hidden Cameras Aid Conservation Efforts for Jaguars and Other Rare Animals
Image Credit: published with permission from Octavio Monroy Vilchis
awesome!