Mexico Strengthens Jaguar Protection with New Conservation Strategies in Yucatan

Yucatan, Mexico — Mexico has launched new conservation strategies to protect the endangered jaguar, America’s largest feline, focusing on the southeastern region where most of the country’s population resides. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) announced the measures, which aim to preserve key ecosystems, enhance monitoring, and promote coexistence between human communities and the threatened predator.

Conservation Meeting in Yucatan

On February 6, Semarnat led a meeting of the Jaguar Conservation Group in Yucatan, bringing together environmental officials, researchers, and civil society organizations to review the species’ status and update protection protocols. Key proposals discussed included:

• Protection of forests and jungles where jaguars live
• Improved inspection and video surveillance systems
• Evaluation and updating of population census methods
• Eradication of poaching and illegal trade
• Strengthened inter-institutional collaboration
• Greater citizen participation in preservation efforts

Population Status

According to the National Alliance for Jaguar Conservation, Mexico’s jaguar population reached 5,326 individuals in 2025, marking a 10% increase from previous counts. This progress reflects the positive impact of conservation programs, though significant threats persist. Primary risks include:

• Deforestation from industrial agriculture and real estate development
• Major infrastructure projects like the Maya Train, which previously classified jaguars as “harmful fauna” and destroyed portions of their habitat
• Illegal hunting and clandestine trade of specimens

A Continental Symbol

The jaguar was among the first species listed in Appendix I of the CITES Convention in 1973, prohibiting international trade. Today, it serves as a symbol of shared responsibility for conserving America’s natural and cultural heritage. Discussions in Yucatan centered on forest preservation, enhanced monitoring systems, census method reevaluation, stronger anti-poaching measures, and improved institutional coordination with community involvement.