SAVIA, within the framework of the Operation Jaguar Bolivia Project, has directed efforts to leave a positive mark for the protection and conservation of this magnificent species and its diversity of habitats, in the great Chiquitanía-Chaco-Pantanal and Southern Amazon region of Santa Cruz.
Operation Jaguar had as one of its main objectives to raise awareness and transmit knowledge for the protection of the Jaguar to various actors such as park rangers, authorities and especially to the new local generations.
Based on the ancestral knowledge of indigenous peoples and scientific knowledge, the jaguar stands out as a powerful, deified, emblematic figure, generating well-being and balance. Its presence in nature is considered by many scientists to be very beneficial in maintaining the balance of the ecosystems it inhabits, making it an "umbrella" species, meaning that its conservation and extensive habitat entail the protection of a vast number of other species and ecological processes.
It is an animal whose strength and bite rival those of the largest felines in Africa and Asia. This is one reason why, in recent years, people in Asian countries in particular have attributed power and vigor to its parts (teeth, claws, bones, whiskers, testicles), which are consumed or used as talismans and jewelry as symbols of higher status. This situation has encouraged hunting, trafficking, and trade. The beauty of its fur also placed the species in a critical situation in previous decades, although trophy hunting still persists.
With the aim of reducing the impact on jaguars, and consequently on the forests that provide environmental functions for human life, efforts were directed toward achieving the goals set forth in 4 Objectives Specifics aimed at generating greater protection and an effective conservation horizon for the jaguar in Bolivia: O1) To achieve greater knowledge about key aspects of the jaguar's status in Bolivia and the dynamics related to its hunting and trafficking; O2) To achieve greater support and empathy towards the jaguar and wildlife from authorities, society in general, and international organizations; O3) To support the strengthening of control systems and the judicial body; and O4) To have an impact at the continental and international level, in order to induce or promote more extensive and forceful joint efforts for the protection of the jaguar and achieve a tacit reduction of major threats, especially global trafficking.
The project's actions focused on the continental and international levels, aiming to induce or foster broader and more decisive collaborative efforts for jaguar protection and achieve a tacit reduction in major threats, especially global trafficking. Operation Jaguar in Bolivia was carried out in the tropical lowlands, encompassing the Chiquitanía-Chaco-Pantanal ecoregions and part of the Amazon ecoregion. Within this ecoregional framework, systematic actions (training, awareness-raising, and research) were conducted in the protected areas of the department of Santa Cruz. Kaa Iya National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area, San Matías Integrated Management Natural Area, Otuquis National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area, Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. Some key interventions were in the areas of influence or surroundings of these protected areas.
Within the framework of Operation Jaguar, SAVIA spearheaded the initiative to establish the “National Network for the Conservation and Protection of the Jaguar» following a major event held in February 2019; it also published information on the conservation status of the jaguar in Bolivia, which received national and international dissemination; it developed a proposal to change the IUCN category of the jaguar; and it developed training processes aimed at Park Rangers of protected areas and Judges and Prosecutors of the judicial branch.
Among the activities carried out in the Objective 1, The main result achieved was “The general public, and the scientific community in particular, are beginning to receive information on key aspects of the jaguar's status in Bolivia and the structural dynamics surrounding its hunting and trafficking.”. In turn, a database of organizations and experts was developed, updated with institutions and researchers conducting studies in Bolivia on the jaguar and its habitat, and specifically on the issue of illegal trafficking of the species. This information was supplemented by the systematization of presentations given at the Workshop for the creation of the “National Network for the Conservation and Protection of the Jaguar,» held in February 2019.
A compilation of links to websites and press publications was prepared, containing selected and verified information about the jaguar. This information was shared for inclusion in the MENDELEY system. Based on the systematized information, the situation regarding jaguar trafficking in Bolivia and Latin America was updated. The compiled information was also used in the development of a guide and supplementary materials about the jaguar, its status in Bolivia, and the risks associated with trafficking. Dissemination, training, and awareness-raising materials were developed on jaguar conservation and the fight against the trafficking of jaguar parts. In December 2020, the following materials were published for the actions planned for 2021: a) Guidebook; b) Booklet; c) Banners; d) Brochures; e) School notebooks; f) Posters; g) Stickers.
The technical proposal to promote the change of category of the Jaguar in the IUCN Red List from Near Threatened to Vulnerable was completed, and its dissemination was carried out within the framework of the objectives of the project and IUCN Resolution 090, which contains express requests in this regard.
of the project and of Motion 106, which contains specific requests in this regard. The document was sent to IUCN specialists in Bolivia, who received some suggestions and contributions.
In it Objective 2, The result has been that “Local authorities and regional society are interested in the issue of jaguar and wildlife trafficking.”The training and capacity-building curriculum for park rangers, municipalities, and local communities was designed, and the development of the foundational document with key technical information about the jaguar began. This document serves as the basis for producing various materials for field training (banners, brochures, leaflets, videos, PowerPoint presentations, etc.). Using this foundation, the first communication and awareness-raising materials on the role and importance of jaguar protection were created for training and awareness-raising processes in local communities and key locations in the region (San Ignacio, San José, Puerto Quijarro, San Matías).”.
In pursuit of this objective, meetings and contacts were made with leaders of Indigenous organizations within the Bajo Paragua Indigenous Territory (TCO) in the area of influence of Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. The purpose was to analyze future actions aimed at jaguar protection, given reports of jaguar hunting due to conflicts with livestock farming. The development of an information, training, awareness, and cultural preservation plan for Indigenous Peoples and Territories was also initiated. Simultaneously, communication materials on the role and importance of jaguar protection were created for training and awareness-raising activities among Indigenous stakeholders.
Regarding the Objective 3, the result was obtained “"The The foundations for the development of the training processes have been drawn up and are ready for implementation.”. Within this framework, the webinar “Training for oversight bodies, prosecutors, and judges in criminal procedure related to environmental and biodiversity matters and its application in Bolivia” was held. This continued the updating of the diagnostic assessment on the capacities and structure of law enforcement in Bolivia: POFOMA, SERNAP, prosecutors' offices, and judges, with a view to preparing for possible IFAW actions in Bolivia.
The need to develop actions aimed at prevention, monitoring, and intelligence gathering on imprisoned traffickers nearing release was identified as urgent. This involved preparing reports for the State Attorney General's Office and the Public Prosecutor's Office, anticipating support from the UNODC, as well as exploring the possibility of extraditing the Chinese nationals to their country of origin. Investigations were also initiated to track down confiscated jaguar parts that are currently missing, including approximately 700 fangs.
For the Objective 4, The result was to generate “Positive influence on biodiversity authorities to address relevant issues of regional and international coordination.”. Based on the approval of Motion 106 for the protection of the Jaguar within the framework of the IUCN, preparations were initiated to present and mobilize said Motion, including Savia's participation in the IUCN event in Marseille, France in 2021, an institutional intervention that was carried out virtually.
Advocacy efforts were made with the DGBAP authorities regarding the importance of Bolivia's participation in the Jaguar 2030 Plan for the Americas, and the need for negotiations with the Ministry of Environment and Water (MMAyA) to formalize Bolivia's membership in this platform, as it is not currently a signatory to the Plan or Agenda. The DGBAP was also informed of the recommendation to include Bolivian experts working in Bolivia in the IUCN Latin America Jaguar Specialist Group, as well as the establishment of an IUCN Jaguar Specialist Group for Bolivia. A new project proposal was prepared for the Segré Foundation to continue and expand jaguar protection efforts against the threat of trafficking in jaguar parts.
Savia's position on the completion of the project and the urgency of continuing to promote the protection and conservation of the Jaguar.
The jaguar continues to face a serious threat and risk of disappearance of its populations scattered throughout its continental range; the threats of habitat destruction, regular retaliatory hunting in conflict with livestock, and trafficking of its parts, remain in force and tend to increase, as most Latin American governments fail to fully understand the importance of biodiversity conservation.
From this discouraging perspective, the institution assumes a position of full commitment to the protection of the species, which stems from its institutional principles of biodiversity conservation. This implies that the actions taken are not a passing or circumstantial event resulting from a project launched in the last four years. It is important to emphasize that protecting the jaguar involves highly complex processes that require constant effort; therefore, it is crucial to continue with new projects that contribute to the objective in the short, medium, and long term.
For Savia, the jaguar is an institutional icon, which means not abandoning the vision and the urgency of continuing to promote fundamental actions such as denouncing the crime of trafficking in jaguar parts, protecting its habitat, strengthening the capacities of wildlife managers and environmental officers, continuing to advocate for a change in the IUCN's endangered species category, and continuing to coordinate and exchange information with the institutions of the Red-Alianza network that work with jaguars in Bolivia. Savia maintains a strategy of continuity in seeking new funding and strengthening existing institutional alliances or establishing new ones.