WWF-Guianas aims to get more insight in the jaguar population and its ecosystems in Suriname. Jaguar populations in Suriname, especially in gold mining and logging areas are threatened by the illegal trade in jaguars and jaguar products. In North Suriname, jaguar habitat is threatened by urbanization and game hunting. By gathering information on the jaguar’s population, it will help to better protect the jaguar in Suriname.
Protecting jaguars is about more than restoring a single species. As a large predator, jaguars play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Every jaguar we can protect, we protect large areas of forest and therefore other wildlife and local communities.
WWF collaborates with academia (ADeKUS) and NGOs (ACT, NeoWild) to work towards the development of a National Jaguar Strategy.
This has led to the development of a National Jaguar monitoring survey project that will be executed in 6 pilot sites across the jaguar corridor in Suriname. It is expected that this monitoring survey will be the first of its kind in Suriname bringing together local experts, using a common methodology and approach.
The survey will provide baseline data to be used to inform a national Jaguar strategy and advocacy efforts for more protected areas and regulations for jaguar preservations The national jaguar monitoring promotes the participation of local communities where we have been able to receive formal agreement from the communities located in the Deep South (Curuni and Sipaliwini). These communities are most critical for the pilot implementation phase of the project.
WWF underscores the importance of the jaguar and will ask governments, among which Suriname, to advance in the implementation of the Jaguar Roadmap 2030 and launch conservation efforts. Likewise, Guyana, together with French Guiana, Nicaragua and Venezuela are asked to join the initiative.