Costa Rica's government has officially recognized it's Jaguar Corridor by signing a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Environment and Panthera represented by Dr. Alan Rabinowitz, the organization's CEO. He called the agreement a turning point for the future of Panthera onca throughout South America. Eighteen Latin American countries are home to jaguars which are known to travel long distances in search of food and mates. Costa Rica's location on the isthmus between two continents makes it a critical link between regions of appropriate habitat. The MOU with Costa Rica is the fourth the leading wild cat conservation organization has signed in Latin America. The goal is to connect protected wild areas from Argentina to Mexico to ensure America's largest and most culturally significant feline species' genetic diversity and survival. Other species will also benefit from the protection of wild jaguar habitat, as the cat is considered a "landscape species" meaning they require more than one type of habitat to survive and many other species depend on their presence in the landscape. Costa Rica has been internationally recognized for conservation efforts with more than 25% of its land area classified and managed for its National Biological Corridor Program.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Costa Rica Protects Jaguars' Corridor
Costa Rica's government has officially recognized it's Jaguar Corridor by signing a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Environment and Panthera represented by Dr. Alan Rabinowitz, the organization's CEO. He called the agreement a turning point for the future of Panthera onca throughout South America. Eighteen Latin American countries are home to jaguars which are known to travel long distances in search of food and mates. Costa Rica's location on the isthmus between two continents makes it a critical link between regions of appropriate habitat. The MOU with Costa Rica is the fourth the leading wild cat conservation organization has signed in Latin America. The goal is to connect protected wild areas from Argentina to Mexico to ensure America's largest and most culturally significant feline species' genetic diversity and survival. Other species will also benefit from the protection of wild jaguar habitat, as the cat is considered a "landscape species" meaning they require more than one type of habitat to survive and many other species depend on their presence in the landscape. Costa Rica has been internationally recognized for conservation efforts with more than 25% of its land area classified and managed for its National Biological Corridor Program.