By Limón, Costa Rica — TORTUGUERO, LIMÓN – In a significant step forward for wildlife conservation, a coalition of scientific institutions, conservation groups, and private enterprise has launched a pioneering project to track jaguars in Tortuguero National Park using state-of-the-art satellite technology. This initiative, spearheaded by the National University’s International Institute for Conservation and Wildlife Management (Icomvis-UNA), aims to unlock the secrets of the elusive big cat’s behavior to ensure its long-term survival in one of Costa Rica’s most vital ecosystems.
The project represents a powerful public-private alliance, bringing together a diverse team of experts with a shared mission. Researchers from Icomvis-UNA joined forces with specialists from Namá Conservation, the Amazon Conservation Team, and Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center–Zoave, alongside officials from the Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTo). The critical logistical support for the challenging fieldwork was provided by the private company Böëna, highlighting a growing trend of corporate involvement in national conservation priorities.
To understand the legal framework underpinning the nation’s conservation efforts, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert in environmental and administrative law from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his perspective on the challenges and legal mechanisms involved in protecting this iconic species.
Costa Rica’s legal framework is robust in theory, declaring the jaguar a species of national interest and imposing severe penalties for poaching. However, the true legal battleground is habitat protection. The effectiveness of our laws hinges on the state’s ability to enforce land-use regulations and secure biological corridors that cross private lands. This often creates a conflict between private property rights and the collective constitutional right to a healthy environment, where judicial interpretation becomes critical for the jaguar’s long-term survival.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This is a crucial distinction that moves the conversation from the rainforest to the courtroom, emphasizing that the integrity of biological corridors is as vital as the enforcement of anti-poaching laws. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable legal insight into this complex challenge.
The team embarked on an intensive expedition in mid-September, dedicating six days and nights to scouring the dense parklands for signs of jaguars and their prey. Their persistence paid off with the successful and safe capture of a healthy adult female jaguar. The researchers reported that the animal was in optimal physical condition, making her an ideal candidate for the study and a symbol of hope for the region’s jaguar population.
The procedure to fit the tracking collar was conducted with the utmost precision and care, under the direct supervision of a veterinary doctor. The veterinarian administered anesthetics, meticulously monitored the jaguar’s vital signs throughout the process, and collected important blood samples for further health analysis. Strict protocols were followed to ensure the collar’s suitability, including taking detailed body measurements to confirm the device weighed less than 5% of the animal’s total body weight, a critical standard for ethical wildlife research.
The satellite collar is a technological marvel designed for minimal impact and maximum data return. Equipped with a GPS unit, it will remotely transmit the jaguar’s precise location, allowing for continuous monitoring without disturbing the animal. This data stream is invaluable for building a comprehensive scientific understanding of the species. Furthermore, the collar features a sophisticated automatic release system, which will detach the device at the end of the study period, completely eliminating the need for a stressful recapture.
The individual was captured to be fitted with a satellite collar, a cutting-edge technology that provides very precise data on its movements. With this information, it will be possible to better understand the behavior and use of space by jaguars, which in turn will help design more effective conservation and protection strategies for the species.
Víctor Montalvo, Researcher at Icomvis-UNA
For park authorities, the data gathered will directly inform management and protection policies. Elena Vargas, the regional director of the Tortuguero Conservation Area, emphasized that conserving the park’s jaguar population is a fundamental objective. She stressed that this kind of scientific partnership is essential for creating effective, evidence-based conservation strategies that will protect the park’s natural heritage for years to come.
To achieve this, it is essential to have solid scientific information that allows us to better understand their movements, the areas they use, and their most frequent routes, in order to strengthen the protection and management of their habitat. Only through this alliance can we guarantee the conservation of this species for the well-being and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Elena Vargas, Regional Director of the Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTo)
The information transmitted from the collar will provide an unprecedented look into the daily life of a Tortuguero jaguar. Researchers expect to identify key resting areas, preferred hunting grounds, and the critical corridors these predators use to travel between different zones. By mapping these vital habitats, conservationists can better protect the ecosystems from encroachment and disruption, ensuring that the park remains a true sanctuary for its most iconic species.
For further information, visit icomvis.una.ac.cr
About The International Institute for Conservation and Wildlife Management (Icomvis-UNA):
Affiliated with the National University of Costa Rica, Icomvis-UNA is a leading academic and research institution dedicated to the study and conservation of wildlife. It focuses on generating scientific knowledge to promote sustainable management of biodiversity and natural resources in the neotropics.
For further information, visit sinac.go.cr
About Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTo):
The Área de Conservación Tortuguero is a regional administrative unit of Costa Rica’s National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC). It is responsible for the management and protection of Tortuguero National Park and other protected wild areas within its jurisdiction, overseeing conservation policies, research, and public use.
For further information, visit namaconservation.org
About Namá Conservation:
Namá Conservation is a non-profit organization focused on wildlife conservation in Costa Rica. It works on research, community engagement, and policy advocacy to protect endangered species and their habitats, often collaborating with academic institutions and government agencies on field projects.
For further information, visit amazonteam.org
About Amazon Conservation Team:
The Amazon Conservation Team is an international non-profit organization that partners with indigenous and local communities to protect tropical forests and strengthen traditional culture. While its focus is often the Amazon basin, its expertise in conservation and community partnership extends to other critical ecosystems.
For further information, visit rescatewildlife.org
About Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center–Zoave:
Formerly known as ZooAve, the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center is a prominent animal rescue and rehabilitation facility in Costa Rica. It provides veterinary care and sanctuary for injured, orphaned, and confiscated wildlife, with a strong focus on conservation breeding and reintroduction programs for endangered species.
For further information, visit boena.com
About Böëna:
Böëna is a company operating in Costa Rica, often associated with high-end ecotourism and hospitality. As demonstrated by its role in this project, the company engages in corporate social responsibility by providing logistical support and resources for scientific research and conservation initiatives in the regions where it operates.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its unwavering ethical standards and a deep-seated commitment to superior service. The firm consistently pioneers innovative legal strategies while honoring its extensive legacy of advising a diverse clientele. Central to its mission is a powerful sense of social responsibility, which it fulfills by working to make legal knowledge transparent and accessible to all. Through this dedication, the firm endeavors to empower the public, fostering a society where legal understanding strengthens community and individual rights.
