Abstract:
We examined the presence of jaguar (Panthera onca) and analyzed its habitat use, activity patterns, and human interactions in a community-dominated tropical landscape in the Maya region of southern Belize. Jaguar presence was detected from camera traps, and informal interviews with 48 residents were conducted to assess the perception of jaguars in the study village of Blue Creek. Seven individual jaguars were identified from 28 independent photographic events over 1,200 camera trap nights, indicating a relative abundance index (RAI) of 2.8 photographs per 100 trap days. Jaguars tended to prefer lowland broad-leaf tropical forest, between the hours of 13:00-18:00. They were rarely observed at night, with only 11% of records occurring after dark. The perception of jaguars in this community was largely positive, with 88% of respondents not fearing jaguars living around the village, and 81% of respondents understanding the positive effect that jaguars have on the ecosystem. There was no significant correlation between respondents' religious affiliation or education level and their perception of jaguars. Although 92% of respondents had reported seeing a jaguar within the last two years, jaguar attacks on livestock in the village are rare, with only two occurrences in the past three years. In recent years, ecotourism has rapidly grown in Belize. Blue Creek is home to several natural tourist attractions, as well as an eco-lodge that brings in tourists, school groups, and researchers to the village. Ecotourism has provided an economic incentive for the village to be invested in conservation, as 94% of respondents thought that the preservation of wildlife, including jaguars, and the forests would be beneficial to their well-being.
