Abstract:
The jaguar Panthera onca is threatened
throughout its range and categorized as Near Threatened
on the IUCN Red List. To inform conservation of
the jaguar population in Corcovado National Park,
Costa Rica, population size was estimated using data
from a 3-month camera trap study. Individuals were
identified from their coat patterns. The resulting density
estimate of 6.98 ¡ SD 2.36 individuals per 100 km2 was
lower than expected. The sex ratio was 1.33 males per
female, and the minimum home ranges of two males
were 25.64 and 6.57 km2. Hunting pressure on jaguar
and white-lipped peccaries Tayassu pecari, the jaguar’s
main prey in the Park, may be responsible for the low
jaguar density as space does not seem to be a limiting
factor. The numbers of females may have been underestimated
because of sampling bias and therefore the sex
ratio obtained in this and similar studies must be
interpreted cautiously. Better protection of the corridor
that connects the Park with other protected areas is
essential to guarantee long-term survival of the jaguar in
Costa Rica.
