16-05-2025
‘Apex predators' photographed in mountains of Guatemala for first time. See them
In the mountains of a nature reserve in Guatemala, several 'apex predators' lived their lives almost completely unnoticed. Conservationists had long suspected the animals might use the park but didn't know for sure — until now.
The Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve spans a massive area of northeastern Guatemala and has varied terrain ranging from lowlands to cloud forests to peaks. Conservationists had identified the park as a Jaguar Conservation Unit, or an area 'capable of supporting viable jaguar populations,' according to a study published May 15 in the peer-reviewed journal Check List.
But there was a catch: 'To date, no published records, museum specimens, or media evidence confirm the presence of jaguars and pumas' in the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve, researchers said.
In hopes of tracking down these elusive wild cats, researchers spent nine years monitoring wildlife at the reserve with trail cameras. Their efforts paid off.
In June 2015, one trail camera 'in a preserved clouded-forest fragment' recorded a jaguar walking by, the study said. The footage was grainy but clearly showed a jaguar passing near the camera then slowly vanishing into the trees.
The sighting was also 'notable' for its elevation of about 7,360 feet, researchers said. As Guatemala's 'first high-elevation jaguar record,' the footage suggested 'the species' elevational and ecological range in the country may extend beyond previous knowledge.'
Trail cameras also recorded 12 sightings of six pumas, or mountain lions, the study said. Photos show a few of these 'powerful and agile' felines.
In one encounter, a mountain lion stops almost directly in front of the camera and seems to look into it. Other photos show the pumas walking past at a distance or briefly poking their heads into the frame.
Jaguars and pumas live in the same regions and 'play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance,' but their 'habitats have experienced significant range contractions and population isolation, mainly due to anthropogenic pressures such as habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting,' the study said.
'The occurrence of jaguars and pumas across the (Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve) provides critical insights into the distribution of these apex predators in the region' and can aid conservation efforts, researchers said.
The research team included Luis Trujillo, Alejandro Mármol-Kattán, Cristina Abugarade, Adriana Rivera-Sandoval, Cristina Chaluleu-Baeza, Raquel Leonardo, Diana Mansilla, Allison Trinidad, Claudia Quijivix, Isabel Martínez, Cristina Escobar, Rocío Paz, Andrid Ramírez, Bárbara Escobar-Anleu, Rebeca Escobar and Rony Garcia-Anleu.
