The Agricultural and Environmental Court of Bolivia issued a historic resolution by granting precautionary measures for the protection of the jaguar (Panthera onca) and its natural habitat.
The decision was made in response to a lawsuit filed by Deputy María René Álvarez, following reports of illegal hunting and trafficking in the San Matías Integrated Management Natural Area in Santa Cruz.
Multi-sectoral Hearing and Scientific Support
The hearing, held in Sucre, brought together:
- State representatives.
- Indigenous peoples and environmental organizations.
- Scientific experts and biodiversity defenders.
During the meeting, institutions like WWF-Bolivia presented technical reports on the importance of the jaguar in ecological and cultural balance.
Key Measures for Jaguar Protection
The Court issued 12 provisions directly impacting the conservation of the feline, including:
- Immediate ecological pause on fires and land clearing throughout the country.
- Establishment of a national fund for jaguar conservation.
- Comprehensive protection for environmental defenders.
- Zero tolerance policy against wildlife trafficking.
- National educational reform focusing on biodiversity and climate change.
- Recategorization of the conservation status of the jaguar in the Red List of threatened species.
The Agricultural and Environmental Court announced it will permanently monitor compliance with these measures, setting a legal precedent in Bolivian environmental justice.
A Historic Resolution for Biodiversity
Deputy María René Álvarez, the lawsuit’s promoter, described the decision as a historic day for environmental jurisdiction.
“We achieved the Agricultural and Environmental Court’s prevention measures for the jaguar and the preservation of its habitat, banning fires and land clearing in sensitive areas,” she stated.
This ruling marks a milestone in wildlife defense, promoting a model of harmonious coexistence with nature and consolidating Bolivia as a reference in protecting environmental rights.
The Fundamental Role of the Jaguar
The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the third largest feline in the world and the most imposing in the Americas.
Its preferred habitat is in forests and tropical savannas, always below 2,000 meters in altitude.
As a top predator, the jaguar plays a key role in regulating the populations of its prey.
Its diet consists of large and medium-sized mammals, contributing to:
- Maintaining ecological balance.
- Eliminating old and sick individuals.
- Preventing disease spread.
This natural mechanism strengthens biodiversity and ensures ecosystem health.
The jaguar population is naturally low, so understanding its biology and ecology is essential for its long-term protection.
Cover photo: fundacionsolon.org
