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Wildlife: Bearing False Witness
Jaguars are less of a threat to cattle ranchers in the Sonora region of Mexico than commonly thought, according to a new study in a recent issue of the journal Rangeland Ecology & Management. Although they are still the main predator of cattle in northeastern Sonora, the kill rates were much lower than the ranchers thought, accounting for only 0 to 1.8 percent.
Further, 91 percent of all confirmed calf kills were attributed to three individual jaguars, prompting the researchers to conclude that rather than broad-scale predator control of this species—endangered on both sides of the border—targeting problem cats may be the more effective solution. Ranchers could also help prevent attacks by establishing upland water sources away from thick streamside habitats.
Please visit www.defenders.org/jaguar for more on Defenders' work on behalf of jaguars.
