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Culture Cat

Meet a Jaguar Biologist

Ancient Civilizations

Today

Conflict Zone

Cattle on the range

One of the jaguar's key strongholds is Brazil's Pantanal, the world's largest stretch of wetland.

Even though the Pantanal is a stronghold of the jaguar, the animal faces danger here because 97% of the land is owned by ranchers, some of whom hunt and kill jaguars out of the belief that they are attacking and killing their cattle. While laws against killing jaguars do apply here, they cannot be as strongly enforced here as they would in a publicly owned park.

In places where jaguars kill cattle, prey populations of jaguars are often low, causing the jaguars to look elsewhere (meaning cows) for food. These prey populations are often under pressure because they are consumed by the ranchers. Often, ranch owners do not supply their cowboys with any protein to eat, so they go into the jungle and hunt, killing prey species that would otherwise be eaten by the jaguar. One option for ranchers is to supply their workers with an adequate supply of protein, either from their cows or some more inexpensive livestock, so that prey populations remain stable for jaguars. The problem with this solution is that it involves additional expense for ranchers, although in the long term, it would probably save them money in cattle losses.

When jaguars do attack cattle, it is most often calves. Full grown cattle are generally too big for a jaguar to take on. Certain breeds of cattle let their young wander without keeping an eye on them, while other breeds form protective circles around their young, and are much less likely to be attacked. Another option that ranchers have is to use these more defensive breeds of cattle. But many ranchers might resist this idea because they only have experience with one breed of cattle and do not want to replace their stock.

So how else can the rancher-cattle conflict be curbed?

Think about that as you check out this survey on ranchers' attitudes. Based on the data, list the findings that strike you as openings for conservationists to use in working further with ranchers to reduce their shooting of jaguars.

Take a look at the rancher survey.

Threat #4: Problem Animals

Once a jaguar attacks livestock, it is more likely to do so a second time. It is also more likely to stay in the vicinity of people, which increases people's fear that they will be attacked. These jaguars are deemed "problem animals" and often tracked and killed by ranchers or community members.


	Come up with wording for a flyer inviting ranchers to a meeting about how to reduce their conflicts with jaguar. Use the findings from the survey to word the flyer in a way that will speak to their interests and beliefs. Turn it in to your teacher.

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The Pantanal

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