Conserving the Hidden Jaguars of the Amolar Mountains

Expedition Leader Helder Brandao talks with jaguar researcher Diego Viana, whose work focuses on understanding and conserving these wild cats in the remote Serra do Amolar—the Amolar Mountains—within Brazil’s vast Pantanal. Diego is a veterinarian affiliated with the Instituto Homem Pantaneiro (Pantanal Man Institute), an NGO dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the Pantanal biome and local culture. The coordinator of a jaguar conservation project for the past 7 years, he will talk about the history of efforts to protect jaguars in this mountainous region—the same area where renowned wildlife biologist George Schaller pioneered studies of jaguar ecology in the 1970s. We’ll learn about the challenge of human-jaguar conflict (such as predation on livestock) and strategies to overcome it, including ecotourism as a means for jaguar conservation. Find out how the different concerns of varied stakeholders are being addressed to successfully mitigate conflicts—and ensure a brighter, more stable future for Brazil’s jaguars.


Originally presented November 30, 2021

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