November 29th marks a special day in the conservation calendar - International Jaguar Day. The third biggest cat in the world after tigers and lions, the jaguar can reach almost 2.5 meters in length and weigh up to 113kg, a bulk required for hunting large prey, although it is worth noting they can differ greatly in size across different regions. Jaguars have a Leopard like appearance with fur that is tan or orange in colour, and spots called “rosettes” often featuring a complex pattern of central dots.
In the case of the studies of flora and fauna in the Amazonic Trapeze, the Jaguar has been named the main actor in advancing developmental efforts in its worldview, ritual, social and economical sectors in society. For indigenous communities like the Ticunas, Cocamas, Yucunas, Macunas, and Ocainas—native to surrounding areas of the Amazonic Trapeze: Santa Sofía, El Progreso, Zaragoza, and the cities of Leticia—the jaguar plays an important ecological role in natural ecosystems. In the ecological sense, Jaguars are seen as species of quality control that regulate the habitat that they live in via their control (and balance) of the food chain.
Apart from their key role in sustaining social and natural ecosystems, jaguars were considered symbols of war, using their strength and power and imposing those characteristics onto their war heroes. Most importantly, “[k]ings were often given names incorporating the world balam, which they viewed as their companions in the spiritual world and protector of the royal household”. Rulers as well as war warriors wore jaguar garments to invigorate their strength and courage during war. However, since fur was highly valued, this privilege was privatized to rulers of the empires.
Colombia:
In the mythologies of the Kogi, an indigenous tribe located at the north mountain range in the city of Santa Marta, Colombia, the Jaguar occupies a larger role in the origins of human existence. In many of the recorded manifestations of the Jaguar, its main societal occupations lie in their role as a chaman, to which they were able to create rituals, war, and maintained a valued rulership in the mountains. Additionally, as chamanes, Jaguars serve as guardians, healers, medics, and (spiritual) guides.
Due to the role that jaguars had as healers and spiritual guides, many of the reputations that were harbored in colonial times were negative, as they were condemned to be acts of witchery and diabolic. This narrative caused many jaguar-related practices and representations to be coded and occult to preserve them through materialization in ceramics, rocks, musical instruments, and rituals.
In the musical realm in Colombia, Jaguar iconography was present across the pre-hispanic world. Instruments like the ocarinas were made from snails, sea shells and rocks; which were also considered markers of power and richness due to the highly specialized value of production. Additionally, these instruments were utilized during war times, as they channeled power and strength.
While anthropological scholarship has merely scratched the surface in the pursuit of reimagining ancestral knowledge, the jaguar is positioned as a transhistorical celestial body. A body that reconstructs animal-human cultural exchange within unmarked spatial bounds. This flexibility and connectivity across Latin America that the jaguar offers, highlights the significance of upholding and commemorating tribal knowledge that pushes against western perceptions. Intercultural exchange in Latin America thus becomes a gateway to solidarity that transcends spatial boundaries. In this fashion, activists bring to question capitalistic and imperial agendas that capitalize and simultaneously distort valued ancestral cosmovisions through their adaptation of feline symbolism. With the ferocity and strength that the jaguar offers, Latin American activist groups have channeled the rage of the jaguar as a means of resistance against oppressive western agendas. Similarly, the jaguar as a cultural symbol in Latin America connects people across boundaries, establishing solidarity. This creates refuge in a community that has shared values for ancestral ontologies.
Habitat and Distribution
Jaguars are the only big cat to live in the America’s (they were worshipped as Gods in ancient cultures), mostly found in rainforest and tropical wetlands.
According to National Geographic, the jaguar once colonised a vast area from central Argentina up to the southwest of the US but they have lost over half this territory since the 1880’s. Now mainly found in the Amazon Basin and the Pantanal in much smaller numbers. WWF estimates Brazil may hold around half the remaining population of Jaguars.
What do Jaguars eat:
Keen swimmers, jaguars hunt fish, turtles, and even caiman! These carnivorous cats have a diet rich in meat too, with prey including deer, capybaras, and even South America’s largest animal the tapir. Jaguars are nocturnal as well as diurnal, meaning they are capable of night-time and daytime hunting, often travelling over six miles in search of a meal.
About Jaguar families
Female Jaguars usually have litters of two cubs (but can sometimes birth four). Jaguar cubs are born blind so are totally dependent on their mother. They remain with her for around two years while she fiercely protects them from predators, even their father, until they are ready to fend for themselves.
What are the threats to Jaguars?
The Jaguar is at an extinction status of ‘near threatened’ and according to Wildlife Conservation Society they face threats mostly from humans including:
● deforestation for large-scale agriculture such a factory food farms and cattle ranches
● the building of dams that negatively impact the ecosystem the jaguar depends on to survive
● hunting of jaguars by farmers protecting their livestock
● cruel illegal poachers looking to profit from skin, paws, teeth, and other parts for use in traditional Asian medicine
Threats and Conservation Challenges
Despite their impressive reputation, Jaguars face numerous threats in the wild. Habitat loss and fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and climate change all contribute to the decline of jaguar populations. The IUCN Red List categorizes the Jaguar as Near Threatened, highlighting the need for continued conservation efforts.
Conservation Success Stories
While the challenges facing jaguars are significant, there are many inspiring conservation success stories. National parks and protected areas, such as the Pantanal in Brazil and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, provide vital habitat for jaguars. Community-based conservation initiatives, like the Jaguar Conservation Program in Peru, engage local communities in Jaguar conservation and promote coexistence with these majestic animals.
How You Can Help
On International Jaguar Day, we encourage you to join the efforts to protect these incredible animals. Here are some ways you can make a difference:
1. Support conservation organizations: Donate to reputable organizations, like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) or the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which work to protect jaguar habitats and combat wildlife trafficking.
2. Spread awareness: Share articles, videos, and social media posts about jaguar conservation, highlighting the importance of protecting these magnificent creatures.
3. Make eco-friendly choices: Choose products with sustainable palm oil, reduce your carbon footprint, and support eco-tourism initiatives that promote responsible wildlife viewing.
4. Support community-based conservation: Engage with local communities and support initiatives that promote coexistence with Jaguars and other wildlife.
Conclusion
International Jaguar Day is a celebration of the majesty and resilience of these incredible animals. As we honor the Jaguar, we must also acknowledge the challenges they face and the importance of conservation efforts. By working together, we can protect the Jaguar's habitat, combat wildlife trafficking, and ensure the long-term survival of this iconic species. Join us in celebrating International Jaguar Day and making a difference for these magnificent animals!
References:
File: Standing jaguar.jpg - Wikipedia
File: Jaguar at Edinburgh Zoo.jpg - Wikipedia
Written By:
Vaibhavi Bhadu
BSc (H) Chemistry
1st year
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