|
The fate of the Osa Peninsula jaguar population seemed doomed this time last year. Gloomy predictions by the jaguar Conservation Program reported the population dropping from 150 to only 30 last year, virtually sealing their extinction. Although 45% of the region is protected within the Corcovado National Park and other protected reserves, poaching for peccary has gone unchecked because of limited park resources to provide enough rangers or prevention measures.
 Jaguar The pessimistic trend could well turn with the fortuitous donation of $5 million from the U.S.-based Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Working through The Nature Conservancy, the foundation has channeled funds to hire more rangers, increase patrol areas and start a comprehensive education campaign on habitat conservation and animal protection programs. The funding will also go toward purchasing adjoining land to create a biological corridor that will allow safe passage for larger species to extend their territories.
Larger packs of peccary have already been counted this past season, which will benefit their main predators – the jaguars.
|
Ecotourism and Nature 
