New queen? Evidence of a long-living Jaguar Panthera onca (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Tikal National Park, Guatemala

Researchers have identified evidence suggesting the presence of a long-living jaguar (Panthera onca) within Tikal National Park, Guatemala. This individual, likely a female, was recorded during a 2018 camera trapping study and traced back to 2009, indicating potential long-term residency in one of the largest conserved forests in the Neotropics, the Selva Maya. The findings highlight the need for systematic, long-term studies to evaluate jaguar populations and assess the effectiveness of protected areas in ensuring species conservation. This discovery contributes to the limited understanding of jaguar longevity and residency patterns in wild environments.

Carlos A. Gaitán, Manolo J. García, M. André Sandoval-Lemus, Vivian R. González-Castillo, Gerber D. Guzmán-Flores, & Cristel M. Pineda. (2022). New queen? Evidence of a long-living Jaguar Panthera onca (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Tikal National Park, Guatemala. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 14(7), 21388–21395. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5813.14.7.21388-21395