Jaguar attacks on dogs increase in Mahahual.
The attacks of jaguars against pets in mahahual continue. In 2022, at least 20 were registered in the mayan coast. Of the total number of pets attacked, only four managed to survive, while the rest were eaten; dogs are the most affected.
The cats have eaten 10 of Don Adolfo and 5 of Doña Duve; despite this, people are not allowed to kill jaguars, since they are protected by federal laws as an endangered species.
Doña Duve Valdés has seen how the jaguar has tried to take her dogs during the night, trying to open the door of the cage where it protects them. While Don Adolfo Uex Pat, assured: “Here, about 10 dogs have eaten me, before the cage program began, if it were not for the cages, I would have finished with the dogs here.”
Jaguar attacks on dogs increase in Mahahual.
The number of deaths has decreased thanks to the Aak Mahahual Civil Association, which has delivered 120 reinforced houses for pets to dog and cat owners in the area.
According to Víctor Rosales Hernández, a specialist in wildlife conservation, the main reason for these attacks against pets is because people have invaded the jaguar’s natural habitat.
“We are fragmenting their ecosystem, there is a lot of poaching. The jaguar is competing with humans, there are many problems or factors that are causing these predators to approach urban areas.”
Turtles and dogs, in the diet of the jaguar
Jaguar attacks on dogs increase in Mahahual.
Turtles and their eggs are part of the jaguar’s diet, so during the nesting season attacks on pets cease.
“From May to October the jaguar does not eat dog, he is eating turtle. During the period when there are no turtles they start to get very active with the dogs,” said the Aak member Mahahual.
With the constant monitoring of the jaguar and with the delivery of the cages, the civil association intends to get this feline to look for another alternative food, far from the urban areas of Quintana Roo.
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