Graduation Date
Spring 2025
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Natural Resources, option Wildlife
Committee Chair Name
Ho Yi Wan
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Kimberly Craighead
Second Committee Member Affiliation
Community Member or Outside Professional
Third Committee Member Name
Silvia Pavan
Third Committee Member Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Jaguar, Panthera onca, Spatial, Density, Occupancy, Population, Panama, Home range, Camera trap, Capture recapture, Tenure
Subject Categories
Wildlife
Abstract
Jaguars (Panthera onca) are key predators and the largest felid in the Americas. The species is listed as near threatened globally due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and human persecution. Their population decline can negatively affect the structure and functioning of the ecosystems they inhabit. Conservation efforts for jaguars and their habitat require understanding jaguar populations and how they are impacted by human presence across their range. This information is lacking in Panama, a critical portion of the Jaguar range. Panama forms a narrow land bridge connecting Central and South America, integral to wildlife movement, including jaguars, across both land masses. I apply spatial models to evaluate the status of a jaguar population in Panama. To understand the presence of jaguars, I use camera trap data from 69 camera stations with different periods of activity from 2016–2022 in eastern Panama. I visually examined each image and video from the camera traps, identifying individual jaguars using unique markings. To contribute to our understanding of jaguars in Panama, I use these data to estimate jaguar occurrence using spatial occupancy models. Additionally, I estimate jaguar population density using spatially-explicit capture and recapture models. I apply these models to identify critical areas for jaguars. My findings highlight the importance of preserving jaguar habitat in Chagres National Park and Narganá Protected Wildlands. These densely forested areas are part of the most robust core area for jaguars and serve as a narrow funnel for jaguar connectivity in the region. Further, this study confirms that jaguars rely on forest cover, especially primary forest cover, and are negatively impacted by the presence of human settlements and land used for agricultural or livestock activities. Conservation efforts for the species should focus on the restoration and preservation of existing primary forest in and around protected areas in eastern Panama. Additionally, promoting country-wide research for understanding jaguar population dynamics would be beneficial for the conservation of the species.
Citation Style
Journal of Wildlife Management
Recommended Citation
Becdach, Rebeca E., "Jaguar (Panthera onca) population status and conservation needs in Panama revealed using spatial density and occupancy models." (2025). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2300.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2300