Panthera's Jaguar Corridor Initiative goes beyond protected areas, preserving the genetic integrity and continuity of the species as it moves throughout the human landscape. Using rigorous science in combination with an understanding of human needs and conflicts, the Jaguar Corridor Initiative brings enlightened land-use planning into the realm of jaguar behavior to ensure the species’ ongoing survival.
Our efforts in Mesoamerica have been tremendously successful, however, three major projects, now planned in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, threaten to sever the Jaguar Corridor at critical linkages:
Highway expansion in western Honduras
On the Caribbean Coast of Honduras, plans are underway to expand an existing highway linking Puerto Cortes and San Pedro Sula to create a “dry canal” that will rival Panama’s canal in transporting goods across the Central American isthmus. This project could sever the jaguar corridor from the central Atlantic coast to the Guatemalan border.
Oil Palm Development on Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast
Boosted by its use in biodiesel, oil palm is beginning to rival coffee and bananas for the agricultural lands it occupies in Central America. An area of immediate concern is the corridor in Nicaragua. Panthera needs to accelerate plans for research that will provide guidelines that make oil palm agriculture more “jaguar friendly.”
Cattle Ranching in the Panama Canal Zone
The cattle ranches in Panama’s northern Canal Zone remain dangerous for jaguar passage. Perceived and real conflict between jaguars and livestock has caused ranchers to seek out and kill jaguars. Based on work done by Panthera with ranchers in other parts of Latin America, we are now making a major push to reach out to critical ranching areas in Panama to mitigate problems and secure the critical passageways needed for the Jaguar Corridor.
Panthera needs approximately $150,000 for urgent work to mitigate the “triple threat” over the coming year. To help Panthera ensure a future for jaguars, click here. We need your help!
To learn more about Panthera's Jaguar Corridor Inititive click here.
