The National Parks Administration (APN) and the Rewilding Argentina Foundation (FRA) are working together on projects for the reintroduction and supplementation of the jaguar (Panthera onca) in various protected areas of the country.
So far this year, four specimens —two females and two males— have already been released, marking a decisive advance in the recovery of this emblematic species, declared a National Natural Monument in 2001.
The release of Acaí in El Impenetrable
On October 5, 2025, the release of Acaí, a female jaguar, was celebrated in the El Impenetrable National Park, as part of the species supplementation project along with the Province of Chaco and FRA.
Everything was progressing as planned until October 25, according to FRA’s technical reports, when the last signal from the tracking device was recorded near the Bermejo River. The interruption mobilized field teams in a search operation to locate the specimen.
Complaint and judicial action
Suspecting human involvement with intent to harm, the APN reported the permanent interruption of the radio collar system and requested the immediate intervention of judicial and security authorities.
The head of the APN, Sergio Álvarez, highlighted the joint work of the organization’s scientific and legal teams:
“The task is titanic on all fronts, but we have the unwavering commitment of our technicians to continue working on all biodiversity conservation projects.”
He also assured that the APN, together with FRA, provincial authorities, and the Federal Justice, is determined to redouble efforts to ensure the safety of released and reintroduced specimens.
The calculation of environmental damage
National Parks presented a report detailing the economic calculation of the environmental damage caused by the loss of Acaí, valued at $2,673,280,260.
This amount was determined by the National Conservation Directorate using a methodology that considers:
- The fragility of the species.
- Its level of legal protection.
- The potential recovery of the damage caused.
Thus, a value is established that could be used by the justice system to apply economic compensation or sanctions to the offender.
Reward to clarify the case
The Federal Court of Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña (Chaco) communicated a proposal from the Public Prosecutor’s Office offering a reward of $250,000,000 for those who provide information leading to the identification of those responsible for Acaí’s disappearance.
The implementation will be carried out through the National Security Ministry, under the protocols of the SEARCH Program, a specific investigation system based on tracking clues from reports.
The protection of the jaguar in Argentina
The jaguar was declared a National Natural Monument in 2001, the highest category of protection for a species in the country. This status implies:
- Absolute priority for its conservation.
- Direct responsibility of the APN in the control of the habitat and monitoring of critical areas.
- Implementation of monitoring, restoration, and reintroduction programs.
The disappearance of Acaí represents a hard blow to conservation projects, but it also reinforces the need to strengthen security and protection strategies for released specimens.
The commitment of the APN and FRA, along with provincial and judicial authorities, demonstrates that the recovery of the jaguar in Argentina remains a national priority, not only for its ecological value as a major predator and ecosystem regulator but also for its cultural and symbolic significance as an emblematic species of the country.
