The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Mades), together with the Wildlife Conservation Society Paraguay (WCS) and the Paraguayan Association of Mastozoology, brought together 40 national and international specialists to update the Red List of Mammals of Paraguay, a key tool for assessing the conservation status of species.
The last update was carried out in 2017, so this work marks a significant advance in biodiversity management.
The Ñande Chaco Project
The initiative is part of the Ñande Chaco project, implemented by Conservation International and Mades, which seeks to strengthen the conservation of the Paraguayan Chaco.
The goal is to protect emblematic species such as the jaguar, while promoting favorable conditions for the local communities that inhabit the region.
The jaguar, a symbol of conservation
The jaguar remains on the list as one of the most threatened species. Habitat loss and poaching are its main risks. Additionally, the conflict with livestock production exacerbates the situation: by attacking livestock due to a lack of natural prey, the felines are hunted and killed.
In Paraguay, the population is estimated to be around 1,500 individuals, although recent studies show a decrease in protected areas of the tri-national region (Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay). Between 2022 and 2025, the number of individuals fell from 93 to 83 in places like Yguazú National Park, Turvo State Park, and the Misionera Forest.
Conservation strategies
The update of the red list will allow:
- To categorize species according to their level of threat (critical danger, high vulnerability, etc.).
- To design more precise public policies for conservation.
- To include recoverers and local communities in resource management.
- To promote the prohibition of hunting and management plans adapted to the state of each population.
Laura Villalba, manager of WCS Paraguay, highlighted that conserving the jaguar also means protecting its prey and the entire ecosystem. “What we seek is sustainability and harmonious coexistence between the production we need as a country and the conservation of our natural resources,” she stated.
The challenge of harmonizing production and conservation
Paraguay faces the challenge of balancing its economic development, especially livestock production, with the protection of wildlife. The same spaces used for meat production are vital habitats for threatened species. The key is to achieve a harmonization between conservation and production, preventing agricultural and livestock expansion from causing the disappearance of unique species.
Importance of the red list
The red list is a fundamental tool for:
- Knowing the real state of mammal populations.
- Making informed decisions in environmental policies.
- Prioritizing resources for species at greater risk.
- Generating public awareness about the need to protect biodiversity.
The update of the Red List of Mammals of Paraguay, after a decade, represents a decisive step towards the conservation of emblematic species such as the jaguar. The Ñande Chaco project seeks to integrate science, local communities, and public policies to ensure the survival of wildlife and the sustainability of ecosystems.
In a country where production and conservation must coexist, this tool becomes a pillar to ensure the future of Paraguayan biodiversity.
