During December 2008 and early January 2009, were recorded in Lipeo and Baritú communities -located in the Baritú National Park  northwest boundary-, several events of jaguar predation on livestock. While these are common in the area, this time occurred in areas near the homes of villagers, which is not usual. This generated increased alertness and attention to the case.

The first attack on a calf in November was in a remote area of housing, which is normal to happen. But from December 1, a series of attacks on calves happened up to approximately 300 meters from the house of a resident in Baritú. Then the attacks began to happen in Lipeo community, some also within a short distance of villagers homes.

On December 12, a patrol comprising Fernando Falke (Red Yaguareté) and Matías Entrocassi (APN) addressed Lipeo where diverse walks conducted by the mountain, finding jaguar tracks and documented the remains of attacked livestock. Later, as a preventive measure, fireworks were shot to drive away potential cats nearby from populated areas.

It was also set another patrol with local people (Deterlino Figueroa and Pánfilo Grimaldo, from Lipeo) for made trips in search of tracks and drove them off work the following days.

On December 15 we get noticed of attacks on calves in Baritú, so Fernando Falke moved there, 15 km from Lipeo and documented the remains of 4 calves attacked by jaguar and tracks of the cat. Fernando remained there until december 17, conducting rounds and flee work alongside the locals. Turning Christmas, attacks recur in the area of the Rio Naranjo and Abra de Minas.

On January 7 arrives Technical staff from the Northwest Regional Technical Delegation of the National Parks Administration (DTRNOA) and from the Calilegua National Park to discuss the situation, with Dr. Pablo Perovic. With Fernando Falke, Matías Entrocassi and Clemente Espinoza they went towards the conflict zone.

At that time there was an attack from a female jaguar with a cub to a calf in Baritú, which was also documented. After analyzing the data collected, it was concluded that this was more than one individual, not just one. Trap cameras were installed, and a jaguar between Lipeo and Baritú was photographed 10 days later.

It should be noted that in this area of mountains forests is where we have registered more jaguars. Ranching is practiced under forest: cattle are moved by large tracts of jungle, right in the territory of the jaguar, which facilitates the occurrence of such conflicts.

Finally, the National Parks Administration (APN) decided to start working in workshops with residents to encourage the collaboration in jaguar conservation in the long term, and analyze the inclusion of Baritú community as a pilot site for implementation of an alternative livestock management system, to avoid conflicts over jaguar cattle attacks and subsequent retaliation from the owners, a conflict where both always lose.

To see our study on jaguar-livestock conflict in the area: Click here.