The jaguar is a protected species in Mexico and still is present in Jalisco
estate. Cabocorrientes region is maybe the largest last jaguar refugee in Jalisco. Jaguar is often killed because is considered
a livestock predator. This illegal hunting usually leaves orphans without any chance to survive alone. In 2004 a female jaguar was killed
and a baby jaguar was for sale. The Forest Engineer Gonzalo Curiel rescued this cub by exchanging the animal for food instead
money. After this, the Ingeneer got funds from the Environmental and Natural Resources Department (SEMARNAT) to built one
of the largest “insitu” enclosure for the female jaguar named “la pecas” now 3 years old.
This enclosure is a initiative to involve the local community in the jaguar conservation and sustainable development
through environmental education, ecoturism and research.
The enclosure is located in Cabocorrientes County in the Bioto Indigenous Community, about 30 mins by car from El Tuito town. This
enclosure is 10,000 square meters and
a perimeter near to 400 m with a more of 4 m tall fence. The natural vegetation has been preserved to maintain the
jaguar habitat. The enclosure is surrounding by natural tropical forest where sometimes another jaguars come to “explore”
the Pecasīs place.
This site will be open to the public in the near future for a economic donation. This economic support will be used
to maintain the cat (and future jaguars), the enclosure and research. Besides the jaguar enclosure other activities such trial
hiking, birdwatching and a canopy will be open soon.
Beacause free wild jaguars conservation is very importn, at the beginning of 2007, M. Sc Rodrigo Nuņez
with economic support from Denver Zoo and Ruffor Langley Foundation started a field survey to know how is the current situation
of jaguars in the indigeneous territory of Santa Cruz del Tuito with interesting results.
For any contact and information to:
GONZALO M. CURIEL ALCARAZ
UMA Santa Cruz del Tuito
Servicios
Forestales el Tuito
Telefono: (322) 2690-142
Email: eltuito@hotmail.com
