Jaguar Jungle, a UK-first habitat will provide an up-close viewing area immersed within the tree tops as the jaguars climb. Welcoming home, residents Jaguars Kumal and Kedera who have been on holiday at our sister site The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent whilst their habitat has been constructed.
VISIT KUMAL AND KEDERA
Jaguars (Panthera onca), are the only big cat species in the New World and are the third largest in the world after tigers and lions. They have dominated the rituals and legends of the local communities that have lived alongside Jaguars. Some legends have said that Jaguars can move between worlds, as they hunt in both the day and night whilst moving on the ground and on the tree tops. Jaguars remain today a symbol of royalty, intelligence, strength and beauty.
The bite force of a jaguar is the strongest of all big cats and unlike many other cats, jaguars do not avoid hunting within the water. The Pantanal which the Jaguar Jungle habitat is themed upon provides an abundance of prey on land and in rivers and lagoons for the jaguars. However, Jaguars are classed as Near Threatened on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to a suspected 20-25% decline over the past 20 years in their natural habitats. Jaguars once roamed broadly from the southwestern states of North America to central Argentina, However, due to habitat fragmentation and illegal poaching jaguars have lost more than half their territory since the 1880s.
There are continuous efforts to conserve and protect jaguars and their habitats. The development of corridors to connect isolated populations to preserve genetic diversity and this movement could reduce the human-jaguar conflict. Here at Paradise Wildlife Park, Jaguar Jungle will raise awareness of the threats faced and the need for the conservation and protection of the species. Our conversation partner for Jaguars is the Programme For Belize. Their mission statement aims to: ‘conserve the biodiversity and promote the sustainable development of Belize through the proper management of the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area (RBCMA).’ Protecting the biodiversity in Belize is crucial for tropical rainforest ecosystems and jaguar populations. Working alongside incredible conservation partners who work hands-on in the natural habitats and with the local communities to raise awareness. Kumal and Kedrea will continue to be ambassadors for the species here at the zoo.
VISIT KUMAL AND KEDERA
