Jaguars roam Mocha backlands

Sep 21, 2018 News

Keep animals in enclosed areas —Wildlife Commission recommends to affected farmers
The Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, has recommended among other things, that Mocha cattle farmers house their animals in enclosed areas to protect them from being eaten by Jaguars.
Jaguars have been wreaking havoc for cattle farmers at Mocha/Arcadia, East Bank Demerara, (EBD).
Reports reaching this newspaper indicate that the jaguars have been roaming the backlands of Mocha and Diamond, EBD in search of food— killing cattle and other domesticated animals in their path.
Farmers have reportedly suffered huge losses as a result of the attacks.
The jaguars have reportedly slaughtered several cows within the last 15 months.
During an interview with Kaieteur News yesterday, officials attached to the Wildlife Commission noted that they held workshops with farmers from the East Bank Community to help them safeguard their cattle.
According to Nelani La Cruz, a Scientific Support Officer attached to the Wildlife Commission, the department was made aware of the situation affecting Mocha farmers last May.
As a result, La Cruz said that a team from the commission visited the area, did an assessment and conducted a workshop with the affected cattle farmers.
During the workshop, the Scientific Support Officer told this newspaper that recommendations were given to the farmers on how to protect their cattle from the roaming jaguars.
“During the workshop, we provided some suggestions to the affected farmers to protect their animals. For instance we recommended the use of enclosures such as corals to keep the animals safe.
She explained that a coral is an enclosed ring where the cattle and other animals are kept.
According to La Cruz some corals are covered like a shed to provide further security for the animals.
“We also recommended that farmers be more vigilant, that they pay attention to the vulnerable among their cattle. The calves for instance, they are an easy prey when they are left to roam.
“We suggested also the use of guard dogs to help to warn (the farmers) of any approaching dangers. There should also be adequate lights in the area where the cattle are being kept.”
La Cruz noted, however, that there is no silver bullet —ideal solution to such a situation.
“What we have found is that there isn’t anything that would work for sure. That is why we recommended that they constantly switch things up, it has to be a collection of strategies because once you invade a jaguar’s habitat that is their hunting ground and you basically bringing the prey to them.”
Yohan Waldron, another Scientific Support Officer, of the Commission said persons should not indulge in trapping or killing of the wild animal.
“We don’t recommend killing any jaguar unless a human life is under threat— these animals are endangered and are protected by law,” Waldron stressed.
He noted, too, that based on studies, jaguars are not likely to carry out attacks on humans.
Head of the Commission,Alona Sankar, noted that the jaguars are not likely to attack a human being unless it feels threatened.
“That‘s why we would warn against hunting. Do not disturb their habitat because if you hunt their food, the jaguars will be left with no choice but come after your food —cattle.”
Sankar said that the Commission will continue to monitor the situation and provide support as it relates to the conflict.
Over the weekend, Kaieteur News reported on the growing number of farmers suffering losses as a result of attacks by the wild animals.
Villagers had confirmed that concerns over the situation have escalated within the past few months.
Then we received reports of sightings of these jaguars in the backlands,” Rayburn Jones, a representative of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, (NDC) said.
According to the NDC representative, there have been several reports from villagers who frequent the backland about their encounters with the jaguars.
“At first, the farmers started losing calves but then things escalated when the larger animals started going missing.
“We have reports of more than one sighting of a female jaguar and her cub.
Jones noted, too, that based on a recent study conducted here by the University of Texas on big cats and human interaction, it is likely that there is a male somewhere.
Based on that study there is more than one type of big cat that can be found in the backlands. In addition to the jaguar, there‘s the puma.”

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