Population trends of jaguars in a tropical forest in southern Mexico

Research reveals that jaguar population density in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (CBR), southern Mexico, stands at 1.03 individuals per 100 km², with males (0.59) and females (0.44) showing distinct detection patterns likely due to trail usage. The study used sex-structured open capture–recapture models to analyze spatiotemporal trends, finding that jaguar activity centers remain stable despite temporal variations. Key findings include a negative correlation between road proximity and detection rates, net primary productivity influencing movement, and border distance affecting population density. Jaguars exhibit low circadian overlap, slightly higher during the rainy season, indicating spatial segregation. The CBR's continuous habitat is critical in mitigating edge effects, underscoring its importance for jaguar conservation.

Contreras‐Moreno, F. M., Cruz‐Romo, L., Jesús‐Espinosa, D., Sánchez‐Pinzón, K. G., Sánchez‐Cordero, V., Luna‐Olivera, B. C., Flores‐Martínez, J. J., & Lavariega, M. C. (2025). Population trends of jaguars in a tropical forest in southern Mexico. Conservation Science and Practice, 7(8). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.70091