The sighting of the largest feline in the Americas in Arhuaco territory demonstrates the good condition of this ecosystem. In the camera traps installed in this biological corridor, blue-billed curassows and margays were also seen.

With the help of the Mamos, who allowed the photo-tracking system to be set up in Arhuaco territory, this jaguar was registered in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Photo: ISA.

A jaguar is seen for the first time in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The largest feline in the Americas, which is classified as a near-threatened species on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), was observed in a rural area of the municipality of Valledupar.

Thanks to the installation of a modern monitoring system, consisting of 24 camera traps in a total area of 70.000 hectares, it was possible to characterize the biological and spiritual corridor of the jaguar in Arhuaco territory.

In addition to photo-trapping, the presence of jaguars in the area has also been evidenced by their tracks. Photo: ISA.

The recording of this adult male jaguar is a finding of great relevance in the area, taking into account that studies on feline conservation indicate that the Caribbean region is one of the areas of the country with the greatest difficulties for the conservation of these big cat species, and perhaps one of the areas with the highest incidence of mortality of specimens at the hands of farmers, ranchers, and communities.

“With this first stage of diagnosis and formulation of a conservation initiative, which will be part of the general portfolio of projects of the Conexión Jaguar program, we seek to implement actions for the preservation and sustainable management of forests in a preliminary area of 17.000 hectares to protect biodiversity, contribute to climate change mitigation and generate benefits for rural communities in cultural and sacred territory,” said Juan Fernando Patiño Díez, leader of the Conexión Jaguar program, an initiative led by ISA and ISA Intercolombia and developed by the Fundación Herencia Ambiental Caribe, which seeks to formulate a conservation project in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in agreement with the Arhuaco people, which will also be supported by its technical allies South Pole and Panthera.

The indigenous people and farmers of the region have been trained on the importance of these felines for the ecosystem. Photo: ISA.

The cameras also revealed the presence of the blue-billed curassow (Crax Alberti), an endemic and critically endangered species, as well as the margay (Leopardus wiedii), considered a near-threatened species.

It is important to remember that in 2003, ISA recognized the Arhuacos as the legitimate interlocutors to develop an effective participation process in the environmental and social management of the construction of the Bolívar-El Copey-Ocaña-Primavera 500 kV transmission line. This project went through a consultative process with the indigenous community, where the traditional authorities held dialogue sessions with the purpose of transmitting to the company fundamental aspects of the Natural Law and protection of sacred sites that are interconnected in the territory.

With the help of the Mamos, we were able to characterize the biological and spiritual corridor of the jaguar in Arhuaco territory. Photo: ISA.