In a pressing call for action, scientists warn that isolated populations and individuals of key feline species in Latin America are on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss, hunting, and human encroachment. The establishment of biological corridors is deemed vital for their survival.
Among the species at risk are the jaguar, puma, oncilla, pampas cat, and ocelot, which are struggling to navigate shrinking habitats across several countries including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. These corridors would not only facilitate movement between fragmented habitats but also improve genetic diversity and population health.
José Fernando González Maya, director of the Conservation of Water and Lands Project (ProCAT), emphasized the necessity of these corridors, stating, "In human-dominated landscapes, establishing corridors is one of the best opportunities for the coexistence of flora and fauna, enhancing their long-term survival prospects."
Recent journalism efforts across five Latin American countries have highlighted the threats faced by these felids, including retaliatory hunting and habitat fragmentation due to agriculture and urbanization. The jaguar and puma, as apex predators, require vast territories for survival, with the former needing between 10,000 to 20,000 hectares.
In Paraguay, initiatives are underway to connect protected areas, such as the Defensores del Chaco National Park, to ensure the puma's survival amid increasing agricultural pressures. Similarly, in Brazil, efforts are being made to create a biological corridor along the Paraná River to connect habitats across borders.
Despite the challenges posed by feral and domestic dogs encroaching on wildlife territories, experts believe that proactive measures, including the establishment of biological corridors, can mitigate these threats and foster a healthier ecosystem for these vulnerable species.
As human activities continue to threaten biodiversity, the urgency for action in the form of biological corridors becomes ever more critical for the survival of Latin America’s iconic felids.