This according to a study by Javier Carazo, a biologist with the Instituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestre de la Universidad Nacional (Icomvis).  Mammals such as tapers, jaguars and ocelots are among those whose populations appear to be increasing.  Some of these, like the jaguar and ocelot, are in great danger of extinction, so the results of this study are very promising.  Carazo was able to conduct the study by placing hidden cameras in the jungle which are triggered by heat and movement.  For instance Carazo was able to identify new jaguar individuals due to the unique pattern of spots that each animal displays.  As a reason for the good news, Carazo points to the fact that in recent years the number of park guards has increased and that helps to stem the tide of illegal hunting of these endangered animals.  Cameras were actually placed in the jungles of Corcovado, an area of the Osa Peninsula that is said to contain 2.5% of the earth’s biodiversity, back in 2003.  The cameras were located there to measure density in certain species, namely jaguars and ocelots.  Recently that study was expanded also to include species that are considered prey of these two carnivorous felines.  The study showed that between 2003 and 2008 the number of ocelots per 100 square kilometers rose from 23 to 49.  Likewise, Carazo was able to identify five new jaguar individuals that before were unknown.  The jaguar is most in danger of extinction and the survival of the population in Corcovado is of utmost importance in preventing that result from occurring.  Jaguars are the largest jungle cats in Central America, measuring 1.75 meters in length and weighing 100 kilos.  They can live to an age of 15 years and due to their large size, need some 4,000 hectares of space to live and search for game.

A 15-year study of jaguars in the Corcovado National Park by scientists from Costa Rica and the U.S. has yielded interesting findings.  Specifically, the scientists have determined that a female jaguar in the jungles of Corcovado can give birth every 22 to 24 months. The mating period is during the months of “verano” or the Costa Rican summer that lasts from January through April.  As a result a female jaguar may give birth to 2 or 3 pups.  However, it has yet to be determined clearly the rate of survival of the pups to adulthood.  The pups will remain with the mother some 18 to 24 months before being left completely alone to survive on their own.  A jaguar will reach full maturity in three years.  To date little has been known about jaguars in the wild and most collected information has been due to observations of animals in captivity.  The information can be vital in helping with conservation efforts for the largest of all cats found on the American continents and one that is in grave danger of extinction.  Jaguars are very shy animals and it is difficult to observe them in the wild.  For example. the scientists of this study began their observations of the animals in 2003 using hidden cameras with censors that detected movement in the jungle.  The photos allowed the scientist to record the “spot pattern” that serves as a means to identify each animal, like a fingerprint.  The initiative was part of the Proyecto Jaguar that has been going on for 15 years.  Corcovado is the place in Costa Rica where most of these mammals remain, although it is estimated that the number of jaguars currently in the park is only around 50.  It is estimated that unless action is taken, the animals could disappear from Costa Rica entirely within 10 years.  Jaguars are animals who “need their space” as just one animal requires some 30,000 hectares of territory to survive.