Biologist John Polisar recently described his experience at a large ranch where he learned that humans and jaguars can live together. But here’s the catch. Polisar explains:
“First, the region retained some large forest blocks with no livestock…Second, the ranch maintained tight control of the livestock, moving herds seasonally, controlling reproductive seasons and calving locations, and defending vulnerable calves. Third, the region retained adequate levels of native prey as a readily available alternative to domestic livestock.”
If we’re going to save jaguars and other big cats like tigers and African lions, humans need to back away from their habitats and limit activities to those that can be tightly controlled. Possible? Yes, but it’s a tall order for a civilization driven by economic growth that, for most part, steals from wildlife and nature.
Nonetheless, I’m encouraged by the global movement to double the amount of protected land for nature from the current 15% to 30% by 2030. Either we do it where it needs to be done, or say good bye to the big cats and a lot of other wildlife.
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