Brazilian farmers explore multiple ways to protect jaguars while raising farm animals

Farmers in Brazil's Pantanal Wetland have adopted an array of methods to mitigate their conflicts with jaguars and try to live in a harmonious way with the wild cats.

Less than 10 percent of the land in Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland, is designated as an ecological conservation zone, with the majority being used for agriculture and husbandry.

Due to a decline in wild prey and an increase in the raising of farm animals, livestock such as cattle and sheep have become meals for hungry jaguars, leading to conflicts between farmers and these cats.

In the town of Porto Jofre in Mato Grosso state of Brazil, which is located within the wetland, farm owners have relocated the majority of their cattle and sheep to a farm situated seven kilometers away to reduce conflicts with the wild animal.

Some farmers have also taken measures to protect their livestock by installing electric fences around their cattle pens. Elisha, a rancher in Porto Jofre, said the measure ensures the safety of the herd without causing harm to the jaguars.

"I installed an electronic fence to keep the cattle herd safe. After the fence was electrified, jaguars dared not enter the cattle pen. We used to have a lot of problems with the jaguars. But with this method, conflicts with the jaguars has reduced," said Elisha.

Protecting the big cats has become a consensus among the local community, which is important for preserving the delicate balance between human activities and wildlife conservation.

"Our goal now is to take good care of the jaguars and avoid any harm to them. When conflicts arise between jaguars and people, we immediately seek help from the police or animal protection organizations," said Yukka, a local resident.

Fernando Rodrigo Tortato, program coordinator at the Brazilian office of Panthera, a charitable organization devoted to the conservation of wild cats and their ecosystems, emphasized their efforts to address conflicts between jaguars and farmers, which he deemed crucial in their conservation efforts.

"The conflict between jaguars and farmers is a critical issue in the species conservation. Therefore, what we are currently doing is educating people on better herd management and exploring ways to reduce jaguars' attacks on their cattle, thus cutting the losses caused by jaguars to an acceptable level," said Tortato.