Jaguar (Panthera onca) spatial ecology outside protected areas in the Selva Maya

A jaguar population persists outside protected areas in the Selva Maya, Mexico, despite human presence. Research using satellite telemetry revealed that four male jaguars maintained home ranges of 101.5 km² (±75.9) in the dry season and 172 km² (±107.3) in the rainy season, with core areas of 17.54 km² (±16.2) and 29.07 km² (±16.2), respectively. No significant seasonal differences were found for home ranges or core areas. Jaguars preferred forest or young secondary growth over disturbed areas, indicating resilience in unprotected landscapes. The study highlights the importance of landscape-level conservation to protect remaining tropical mature forests and promote long-term secondary growth, ensuring jaguar survival amid tourism-driven threats.

González–Gallina, A., Equihua, M., Pérez-Garduza, F., Iglesias-Henández, J. A., Oliveras de Ita, A., Chacón-Hernández, A., Vázquez-Zúñiga, O., & Hidalgo-Mihart, M. G. (2022). Jaguar (Panthera onca) spatial ecology outside protected areas in the Selva Maya. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 131–144. https://doi.org/10.32800/abc.2022.45.0131