Panthera onca IN THE CORDILLERA ESCALERA - REGIONAL CONSERVATION AREA: A NEW RECORD OF MELANISTIC JAGUAR IN THE PERUVIAN TROPICAL RAINFOREST

Saucedo‑Bazalar M.; Carlos‑Gómez G.; Krose C.; Barco J.; Benavides R. · Folia Amazonica (2023) · DOI: 10.24841/fa.v32i1.662

Resumen

We present the first records of a melanistic jaguar (Panthera onca) coexisting with non‑melanistic jaguars in the Cordillera Escalera ‑ Regional Conservation Area, San Martín, Peru. Between the years 2017 and 2022, twelve camera traps were installed in a wildlife corridor to evaluate the occurrence of mammals and birds within the conservation area. A total record of 9 photos and 24 videos of jaguars was obtained, of which 6 photos and 10 videos corresponded to a melanistic male specimen. The largest number of records was in April and July 2021, during night events. These results represent important evidence of the presence of previously undocumented melanistic jaguars in the area, allowing the strengthening of jaguar conservation initiatives and distribution evaluation within the Cordillera Escalera ‑ RCA. © Folia Amazonica.All rights reserved.