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Jaguar Perched in Tree Above Peccaries: The Story Behind Its Return to Iberá
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

Jaguar Perched in Tree Above Peccaries: The Story Behind Its Return to Iberá

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • A jaguar named Jasy'i was filmed perched in a tree, surrounded by peccaries on the ground, in Argentina's Iberá wetlands.
  • The unusual scene highlights the successful reintroduction program for jaguars, a critically endangered species in Argentina.
  • While the jaguar population is growing, it remains far below its historical range, with fewer than 300 individuals left in the country.

A viral video captured a striking image in Argentina's Iberá wetlands: a large jaguar, Jasy'i, clinging to a tree branch while a pack of peccaries waited below. The scene, described as "unthinkable and cartoonish," is becoming more common as jaguar populations rebound in the region.

Jasy'i, a wild female born in semi-captivity, is part of a crucial reintroduction program aimed at recovering the critically endangered species. Biologists believe she may be pregnant and was moved to a new location to facilitate breeding with a male.

Iberá roars again

— social media publicationCommentary accompanying the viral video of the jaguar and peccaries.

Emiliano Donadío, scientific director of Rewilding Argentina, explained that peccary packs can pose a threat to jaguars, which typically hunt them by surprise. The growing presence of both species signifies a healthier ecosystem, though the jaguar's territory is still limited compared to its historical range.

Despite ongoing conservation efforts, the jaguar population in Argentina remains critically low, with fewer than 300 individuals remaining. Their wild distribution is now confined to specific regions, a stark contrast to their historical presence across much of the country, including areas that inspired names like Tigre.

They are very brave. They have terrible fangs. Jaguars hunt peccaries, but by surprise. Unity is strength and in a group they are to be feared

— Emiliano DonadíoScientific director of Fundación Rewilding Argentina, describing the threat peccaries pose to jaguars.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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