Of the genus Panthera, which includes the tiger, the lion, the leopard and the snow leopard, the jaguar is the only one that is still found in America, where ancient cultures worshipped it as a symbol of strength, power, and connection with the underworld. 

Since ancient times, the jaguar has broken his solitary way of life only to mate. The rest of the time, it remains crepuscular and golden-eyed, using its powerful muscles to hunt much bigger prey. It remains the king of the jungles in the Americas. 

In the Maya Forest, the most extensive tropical forest of Mesoamerica, covering parts of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico, lives the second largest population of jaguars on the continent. However, this population of jaguars face many threats. Hunting, collisions with vehicles, and a shifting agrarian border devastates its habitat and threatens this iconic species. 

One of the main conflicts that endanger the jaguar's survival is the clash with cattle farmers. Contrary to popular belief, humans often encroach into jaguar habitat and, due to diminished resources, jaguars can attack cattle. Because of this, cattle farmers often kill the jaguar in retaliation, disrupting the delicate balance that hold the ecosystems together. 

Fernando Contreras is a biologist specializing in wildlife, who is working with WWF on jaguar conservation, and participates in several activities in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, in Campeche, which is protected by the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (CONANP).

"I started working in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in 2018, through a project of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), then went on to a conservation project for the jaguar and, in 2020, I became part of the team at WWF,” shared Fernando.

"In Calakmul, I'm in touch with all the cattle farmers. We initially wanted to create model ranches that allowed better production on a smaller area. Then cattle farmers had to face the fact their animals became prey to jaguars. To address this growing problem, we began by protecting small groups of cattle and installing electric fences consisting of a solar panel, a power source, and several feet of conductive wire. We also identified the spots where jaguar attacks were common. Currently, I monitor predation events. When a jaguar attacks cows or sheep, I am the first responder. I verify the predatory attack and establish a link between the reserve and the farmer, easing access to the Insurance Fund." Fernando explained. 

Jacinto López, originally from Chiapas, settled in Calakmul almost 30 years ago. In 2015, he took an interest in sheep farming. His ranch, located at the ejido Nueva Vida, was working at a good pace until 2018, when jaguars attacked his cattle. Every two weeks, the toll of dead sheep reached between 5 and 15. 

"Before Fernando, we didn't have anyone to help us with compensating our losses. When I met him, he supported me to write the Insurance Fund reports and provided an electric fence," says Jacinto.

The installation of electric fences not only preserves each rancher's cattle, but it also contributes to the conservation of the jaguar and, consequently, its habitat.  

"I think we as a community, as an ejido, have a responsibility to preserve, because it's the jaguar's home, and we must respect that. Even though we practice cattle farming, we preserve the forest. The jaguar is the keystone. WWF has helped us find solutions to address the conflict in my ejido and the whole region. My perspective changed, and I even climbed the mountain to bring water to the jaguar, so that it can drink from large clay jars. They have a right to this land, we are the ones invading their home."

Jacinto got so enthusiastic after the experience that now he is a community technician and collaborates with WWF to respond to predation cases, install fences, and convince other cattle farmers to adopt them.