Remarkable records of jaguars and Andean bears in northwestern Ecuador: Implications for human-wildlife conflicts

• DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.19.e129163
• Publication Date: 2024-11-14T11:30:13Z
• Authors: Javier Torres-Jim...; Sylvia M. Seger; Camila Acosta-López; María Mercedes Ga...; Sebastián Kohn; Fabricio Narváez; Andrés Laguna; Marco Monteros; Hugo Ramírez-Piedra; Denis Lucero-Toap...; Christian Armas
• Keywords: Human–wildlife conflict

Jaguar populations ( Panthera onca ) on the Ecuadorian coast are critically endangered, with only a few dozen individuals remaining in region. In some areas, no records have been documented for decades. Between November 2023 and January 2024, independent camera trap monitoring northwestern Ecuador yielded evidence of presence jaguar, marking significant recovery after seven years absence Manduriacu at least 15 Junín. The jaguar was observed moving through an area approximately 25 km, traversing forested human-altered zones. Furthermore, additional from Ecominga Foundation Cielo Verde community indicated occurrence livestock attacks, which aligns typical predatory patterns behavior. attack site located 8 km where initially recorded, suggesting that both events refer to same individual. response, local authorities inspected organized workshops. Andean bear recorded during sampling period, confirming co-occurrence species area. movement this along other species, underscores imperative need continue research conservation initiatives These will ensure protection coexistence wildlife human highly biodiverse