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.

Corcovado National Park, located on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, is truly a wonder of nature.  The park possesses some 2.5% of the total biological diversity of the planet.  It is home to a small population of jaguars, America’s largest big cat and an animal that is in grave danger of becoming completely extinct.  It is estimated that only around 50 jaguars remain in the park.  One of their principal sources of food, the chancho de monte, that has been on the endangered list itself, is now making a comeback.  This is good news for the jaguars.  Hopefully the resurgence in the population of this popular meal for the felines will help their species also recuperate a bit.  Another amazing fact is that the park contains 36% of the venomous snakes found in Costa Rica.  Eight of the twenty-two total venomous snakes of Costa Rive live in Corcovado (there are 137 species of snakes in total in Costa Rica, but 115 of those are not venomous).  These include three species of coral snakes, the sea snake as well as the dreaded terciopelo (the deadliest snake in Costa Rica and one of the most prolific).  In total the park is home to some 140 species of mammals and 6,000 insects.  For those of you that are not afraid of the snakes, or jaguars, or insects (among other things), you can contact me at Package Costa Rica if interested in a tour of Corcovado National Park.