CAPTURE AND COLLAR DEPLOYMENT ON JAGUARS AND OTHER LARGE MAMMALS - IN THE INTANGIBLE WAORANI BAMENO- BOANAMO AREA
This project was planned and requested by AMAZHOPE, with the colaboration of Armando Castellanos (specialist in mammals of Ecuador) and had the research permit or framework contract granted by the Ministry of Environment (MAE-DNB-CM-2019-0126).
Amazhope, in collaboration with the Huaorani community of Bameno, has launched a pioneering project to study and protect jaguars (*Panthera onca*) within the ecologically vital Huaorani Intangible Zone of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Utilizing humane, non-invasive methods, the initiative involves deploying GPS collars on jaguars to monitor their movements, habitat use, and interactions within this biodiverse sanctuary. This data will inform strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, combat illegal poaching, and preserve critical corridors connecting fragmented habitats.
Important fact of the project
The project had two field phases, the first lasted 15 days and the second 25 days.
Our base camp was located in Itekawunda, Province of Pastaza, two hours away from the Bameno Community, on boat.
Some hightlights of our project
01
First phase results
We had no jaguar tracks approaching the snare traps, with and without bait. On the other hand, tapirs avoided the snare traps, so we decided to leave the traps deactivated to get the animals used to the presence of the artifacts; these would be activated in the second phase.
02
Second Phase (January 8 - February 3, 2021)
When we started activating the traps, we noticed that in some places tapirs moved away completely, thus we removed them and placed them around salt licks. Luckily, Tepeña pointed out the existence of a very active salt lick area, where we found and observed several tracks of: jaguars, tapirs, huanganas (Tayassu pecari), guantas (Cuniculus paca). This encouraged us to focus on activating 8 snare traps for jaguars, and only 2 snare traps remained to capture tapirs. Furthermore, macaws and parakeets were also seen on tree tops around the salt lick area. Finally, we also placed a speaker which emitted sound simulating a female jaguar in heat
