Black jaguar born in Paraná travels more than 2 thousand km to meet new 'boyfriend' in Tocantins

A jaguar with black fur, born in Foz do Iguaçu, in western Paraná, left the Bela Vista Biological Refuge, maintained by Itaipu Binacional, to travel around 2,100 kilometers to Tocantins. The female, called Jataí, will form a couple with another jaguar and contribute to the conservation of the species, which is threatened with extinction.

Jataí, who weighs almost 90 kilos and is about to turn four years old, left on Tuesday (10). The trip is by road, expected to last two days. The expectation is that it will arrive at the Piracema Conservation Reserve, in the municipality of Almas (TO), this Wednesday (11).

The transfer was determined by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), responsible for conservation actions for Brazilian fauna. The objective is to increase the genetic diversity of jaguars through captive breeding.

In the new house, Jataí will meet a male chosen by the institute to form a couple.

Born in the Itaipu Refuge, Jataí will help strengthen the genetic diversity of the jaguar. — Photo: Itaipu Biological Refuge

"There she will find another animal chosen especially by ICMBio to form a couple. Jataí is very special to us because she was born, along with her sister, Arapuá, precisely on International Jaguar Day", explained Pedro Teles, a veterinarian at Itaipu.

From birth to new home

Jataí was born on November 29, 2022, at the Bela Vista Biological Refuge, in Foz do Iguaçu. The birth of her and her sister, Arapuá, was recorded by monitoring cameras and monitored by the team from RPC, a TV Globo affiliate.

The images show the cubs' mother, Nena, giving birth to the first leopard. About 15 minutes later, the second was born.

Almost four years later, Jataí left the place where he was born and raised to participate in a breeding program for the species in another state.

"For us it is very important to see that that little puppy, which was born and raised here in the Refuge, is going to contribute to the conservation of the species in other places. If everything goes well, Jataí will have many puppies and will help in the preservation of this animal", said Pedro Teles.

The jaguar born in Itaipu will help form a new breeding pair in Tocantins. — Photo: Itaipu Biological Refuge

Jataí is a melanic jaguar, a genetic characteristic that causes the coat to be predominantly dark.

From the Atlantic Forest to the Cerrado

Jataí's new home will be the Piracema Conservation Reserve, located in Almas, Tocantins. The space covers around 5 thousand hectares and develops conservation projects for Cerrado animals.

Created in 2016, the reserve is a breeding center for jaguars and also maintains species such as tapirs, anteaters, peccaries and pumas.

According to Felix Scorsolini, administrator of the reserve, the arrival of Jataí is important to expand the genetic diversity of the animals kept there.

"She will be part of our herd of jaguars that help to conserve biodiversity through breeding in captivity. Jataí is very important to us due to the genetics she represents", he stated.