There was a time not too distant when the mighty Yaguareté O “Tiger Creole”It lived from the south of the United States, to the north of the Argentine Patagonia. Although in recent decades, the fragmentation and loss of its habitat, added to the illegal hunting and trade of the species has led to feline largest in the continent to decline.
What predator stop, the Yaguareté it plays a fundamental role within the ecosystems in which it operates. The predators stop, that is, those that are found at the top of the food chain, serve as regulators of the rest of the species and are of vital importance for an ecosystem to remain balanced and healthy. When a top predator disappears or is highly threatened, it directly affects the balance of the entire ecosystem, affecting the flora and fauna of the place.
But how is this possible? To the series of factors that occur when a predator stop disappears is called a “trophic cascade”. What happens is that when numerous species run out of predator, their number begins to increase unbridled. These species, now grown from specimens, in turn prey to a greater extent others until their number decreases and even pushes them to extinction. About this Sebastian Of Martino, Director of Conservation of the Foundation Rewilding Argentina expressed “the predators stop they are key species in ecosystems. When they disappear, natural environments degrade and even collapse. Return to jaguar where it has become extinct it has to do with our own survival ”.
In addition to having great natural value, this feline it also has great cultural value. Name “Yaguareté”Comes from Guaraní and means“ the true beast ”. It is a mythological being of the Guaraní culture that has inspired myths and legends, as well as numerous stories and stories of pioneers and adventurers who set out to explore the lands of the greatest feline American. Also today his preservation in certain places it serves as an engine for tourism, strengthening local economies.
Source: Rewilding Argentina
In Argentina, Yaguareté it has lost 95% of its territory, decimating its population to place it within the critically endangered species. Fortunately, every day there are more organizations willing to fight for preservation of this natural and cultural treasure. A great example of this is the Foundation Rewilding Argentina, which has successfully reintroduced this majestic animal to the Esteros del Iberá, a place where some time ago the Yaguareté He knew how to reign, but unfortunately it was eradicated approximately 70 years ago. Luckily and thanks to the foundation, today there are already 6 specimens reintroduced to the ecosystem, turning the foundation and Argentina into a example of conservation for the whole world.
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