WILDLIFE MONITORING AT MAYFLOWER BOCAWINA NATIONAL PARK DR BART HARMSEN, DR REBECCA FOSTER, REBECCA WOOLDRIDGE

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1 WILDLIFE MONITORING AT MAYFLOWER BOCAWINA NATIONAL PARK DR BART HARMSEN, DR REBECCA FOSTER, REBECCA WOOLDRIDGE

2 RANGE OF THE JAGUAR Jaguar populations are in decline due to: Habitat destruction Illegal wildlife trade (fur, teeth) Conflict: livestock predation Competition with humans for wild prey

3 Jaguar - Panthera onca IUCN, assessed 2017

4 GUATEMALA OUR RESEARCH Predator ecology Human-wildlife conflict Corridor Initiative MEXICO BELIZE Jaguar corridor HONDURAS Jaguar conservation unit

5 RESEARCH AT BOCAWINA Bocawina forms part of the Maya Mountain Massif an area of crucial importance to wildlife conservation, supporting the largest population of jaguars within Belize This area acts as a source population of jaguars for Belize young males move out of the Massif into other areas to establish territories This maintains genetic connectivity between areas, ensuring the viability of jaguar populations in Belize

6 RESEARCH AT BOCAWINA Camera traps and video cameras allow us to monitor wildlife in the park Through this we can estimate species abundances, distributions, activity patterns, and many more things!

7 JAGUARS AT BOCAWINA Each jaguar has unique markings This means we can estimate numbers of individuals, and track individuals throughout the park 8 th December st December th January th January 2018 This female is very active at Bocawina...

8 JAGUARS AT BOCAWINA and she has a cub!

9 NATIONAL MONITORING NETWORK The research at Bocawina feeds into the National Monitoring Network of Belize By monitoring several areas throughout Belize we can gain better estimates of the health of wildlife populations This allows us to develop conservation and management plans which are species and area specific

10 NATIONAL MONITORING NETWORK Jaguars captured at Bocawina are entered into our National Jaguar Database with a unique ID

11 NATIONAL MONITORING NETWORK When individuals move between areas we can identify them from the National Jaguar Database This is crucial in helping us to understand which areas of Belize have enough forest remaining for species to move through, and which areas have become inaccessible due to clearing for agriculture and human development 4 th April th September th September 2013

12 NATIONAL MONITORING NETWORK This jaguar was first captured as a young male in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in 2015 He was not captured in the CBWS after Cameras at Bocawina have shown us that he emigrated from the CBWS as a young male and established a territory at Mayflower Bocawina National Park. 3 rd February th September th February 2015

13 BEHAVIOURAL RESEARCH AT BOCAWINA One way jaguars communicate with each other is through scratching trees Video cameras placed on the Five Waterfalls trail are allowing us to gain novel insights into jaguar communication

14 WILDLIFE AT BOCAWINA Jaguar Puma Ocelot Margay Jaguarundi Tayra

15 WILDLIFE AT BOCAWINA White-lipped peccary Collared peccary Tapir Paca Armadillo Red-brocket deer

16 WILDLIFE AT BOCAWINA White-lipped Possum peccary Collared Coatimundi peccary Currasow Paca Agouti Armadillo Crested Guan Red-brocket Skunk deer

17 F H Stride Jaguar - Panthera onca THE SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE - TRACKS

18 THE SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE - TRACKS Puma Puma concolor

19 F H Ocelot Leopardus pardalis THE SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE - TRACKS

20 Stride THE SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE - TRACKS Collared peccary Pecari tajacu White-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari

21 F Stride H Baird s tapir Tapirus bairdii THE SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE - TRACKS

22 THE SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE - SCRAPES Jaguars and pumas scrape the ground with their hind feet They deposit scent in the scrape These are used to communicate with other individuals in the area Scrapes can often be found on the trails

23 THE SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE - SCRATCHES

24 JAGUAR ENCOUNTERS These 2 jaguars were photographed at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary The photographer watched them walking towards him, before they moved off the trail If you see a jaguar do not be scared! Stand still and be calm, the jaguar will soon move off the trail into the forest. Most importantly, enjoy the experience! You will become one of a small number of people who have seen a jaguar in the wild. Photo credit: Takuto Kurosawa

25 CONTACT US If you would like to know more about our research in Belize, or make a donation to support our research efforts, our team can be contacted at: rfoster@panthera.org / jchang@panthera.org Thank-you!