Panama is recognized for its rich biodiversity, with forests that form a natural corridor connecting jaguar habitats from Mexico to Argentina. However, this environment faces significant challenges, with over 40 percent of jaguar habitat lost due to agricultural expansion and deforestation. Cattle farming has been a primary driver of this loss, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict as jaguars prey on cattle, prompting retaliatory killings by farmers.
To address this issue, the Global Wildlife Program (GWP), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and executed by Panama's Ministry of Environment and Yaguará Panamá Foundation with support from the UN Environment Program (UNEP), is collaborating with cattle farmers near protected areas. The GWP Panama project piloted an initiative involving ten cattle ranches adjacent to Darién National Park, which hosts an estimated population of 280 jaguars.
Yaguará Panamá Foundation has conducted a census to assess local jaguar populations across more than 141,000 hectares in the Chagres National Park-Darien National Park complex. This effort involved authorities, companies, local communities, and Indigenous Peoples. Notably, women played a significant role in these activities. Natalia Young, Director of Yaguará Panamá Foundation, stated: “The incorporation of women brought multiple benefits... It strengthened the execution of the project for us and reduced social inequalities.”
Training sessions were held for rangers, biologists, veterinarians, students, and community residents on using conservation technology. Ricardo Moreno, President of Yaguará Panamá Foundation emphasized: “Technology is not a replacement for the work we do in communities... it is an addition to the work we do building relationships.”
Sustainable management plans were developed to rotate grazing pastures in alignment with jaguar movements while enhancing livestock production. Anti-predation measures such as solar electric fences and scaring devices were implemented alongside safe areas for calf raising. Camera traps and GPS collars have facilitated tracking jaguar movements and verifying the initiative’s success.
This approach has shown that avoiding livestock predation improves herd health and production efficiency while reducing human-wildlife conflict. Additionally, it generates economic alternatives like ecotourism for local families and communities.
With demonstrated success in improving livestock production alongside wildlife conservation, other farms have expressed interest in adopting similar practices. The project's findings are paving the way for expansion through funding and expertise from local scientific foundations.
The project exemplifies how integrating science, technology, education, and community partnerships can redefine human-nature relationships. This approach fosters peaceful coexistence and inclusive prosperity alongside one of Panama’s national symbols of biodiversity—the jaguar.