Every November 29th, International Jaguar Day is commemorated to celebrate the existence of this species. Panthera onca, as an icon of sustainable development, being synonymous with good forest health, a provider of water and a purifier of the air we breathe.

The Savia Bolivia Association, with the purpose of contributing to the protection of this important wild animal, in the Month of the Jaguar, developed local actions to raise awareness about the fauna, such was the experience in San José de Chiquitos, a municipality that directly influences the conservation of one of the homes of the jaguar, the ANMI Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park.

With that aim, information and awareness talks were held, in addition to the Workshop “Guardians of the Mountain: Know, Create and Protect”, The event was attended by more than 40 participants aged between 7 and 15, where the older ones enjoyed a pleasant and fun weekend making jaguar, monkey and deer masks, and the younger ones learned about the colors of the wildlife of their Chiquitano territory.

There were many incentives with the support of the Simón I. Patiño Foundation for the first and second place winners, who, along with the most outstanding participants, were awarded within the framework of the coordination, with allies to be part of the “Tigre Gente” Traveling Cinema in the Main Square, where families were thrilled watching the short video “Abuela Grillo”.

The highlight of the evening was the film "Tiger People," a National Geographic production that, through the story of a Bolivian park ranger and a Japanese journalist, exposes and denounces the trafficking of jaguars from Bolivia to China—a complex reality that the documentary portrays to promote conservation policies for the species. The Mayor also addressed the audience, expressing his gratitude for the activities.

It should be noted that the jaguar or tiger is a wild animal that has been venerated since ancient times for its strength and power, and that despite being of utmost importance for the balance of ecosystems, its survival is at risk, both from poaching and trafficking of parts, as well as from the destruction or transformation of its habitat by agriculture and livestock.

The events were organized by the Savia Association in coordination with the Autonomous Municipal Government of San José de Chiquitos, the Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park ANMI, Pachamama Sabia and the Tigre Gente team, and the actions were framed in favor of the objectives of the project “Women artisans and young people from San José as promoters of the conservation of the ANMI Kaa-Iya National Park”, which is supported by the UNDP Small Grants Programme in Bolivia and seeks to train young people as Chiquitano Environmental Multipliers, as well as support local artisanal production by women.

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