USING TELEMETRY TECHNOLOGY TO MINIMIZE HUMAN-JAGUAR CONFLICTS AND CONTROL ILLEGAL HUNTING IN A LIVESTOCK FARM CLUSTER IN DARI N, PANAMA.

The jaguar (Panthera onca) is threatened throughout its range by habitat destruction, declining prey availability, a growing black market trade in jaguar parts, and human-jaguar conflict.

The purpose of this project is to reduce human-jaguar conflict in the Darien region of Panama by implementing proven anti-predation livestock protection methods, creating an early warning system by tracking jaguars with GPS collars and camera traps, and conducting public education and outreach campaigns.

This project is intended to conserve jaguars in a critical corridor between North and South America that connects jaguar populations and ensures genetic flow.

Activities include: (1) implementing and improving jaguar friendly management systems on 14 livestock farms; (2) building local capacity for managing human-wildlife conflict through training workshops for farmers and ranchers as well as key personnel from the Ministry of Environment; (3) creation of an early warning system of captured and collared jaguars using telemetry technology; and (4) environmental education workshops and public outreach campaigns to build support for jaguar conservation and peaceful co-existence.