JAGUAR COULD DISAPPEAR FROM THE IGUAÇU NATIONAL PARK

The presence of the Jaguar in Iguaçu National Park should not last for more than 80 years. Jaguar population falls 90% in Iguaçu National Park.

"Parque Nacional de Iguaçu", Paraná state, southern Brazil

Jaguar, Panthera onca (Photo: Globo Rural On-line)

This is the main conclusion of a study by the National Center for research and conservation of carnivorous mammals (Cenap), the Chico Mendes Institute for biodiversity conservation (ICMBio).

Previous records already pointed out the existence of 180 animals in the area.   Today, there are in the Park no more than 18.

"Genetic analysis that we made in 2010 in the population indicates that she is suffering and, if you do not have effective and quick actions, the probability of extinction is 80 years, according to mathematical models," explains Ronaldo Morato, coordinator of the Center (Cenap).

"Today, there is no record in the Park of peccaries, the preferred prey of the Jaguar.   Then, the risk of extinction of the Jaguar is also great", says Morato. 

 The head of the Park, Jorge Pegoraro, says that  "there are 40 men of the environmental police of Paraná, working in the area, even so, it is still only a few people. Personal lacking resources and lack structure, as truck and several posts in the municipalities, to curb crimes". 

"Queixada", white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari)

Iguaçu National Park is a Brazilian conservation unit which houses the largest remnant of Atlantic forest of southern Brazil and protects a rich biodiversity.

There are many roads and small farms in the region, in the far west of Paraná, 17 km from Foz do Iguaçu's city centre and only 5 km from Foz do Iguaçu International Airport.
The Park suffers from the hunting, fishing and illegal exploitation of Palm.