Is reintroduction a tool for the conservation of the jaguarPanthera onca? A case study in the Brazilian Pantanal

Reintroduction emerges as a viable conservation tool for the endangered jaguar (Panthera onca) in the Brazilian Pantanal, according to a study published in Oryx. Researchers successfully reintroduced two jaguars, previously held in rescue centers for 13 months, into a 53,000-hectare ranch where hunting is prohibited and prey is abundant. Using an adapted IUCN soft release protocol, the team observed that the jaguars established natural behaviors—including home ranges, movement patterns, and prey consumption—similar to those documented in wild populations. Over 11 months, the animals were monitored with GPS/VHF collars and accelerometers, demonstrating successful social integration and reproduction, which suggests reintroduction can stabilize declining jaguar populations in suitable habitats.

Gasparini-Morato, R. L., Sartorello, L., Rampim, L., Fragoso, C. E., May, J. A., Teles, P., Haberfeld, M., Paula, R. C. d., & Morato, R. G. (2021). Is reintroduction a tool for the conservation of the jaguarPanthera onca? A case study in the Brazilian Pantanal. Oryx, 55(3), 461–465. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605320000460