The use of ‘camera traps’ to protect endangered felines in Costa Rica, especially those found in Osa Peninsula, was highlighted by the New York Times.
These devices are used to control populations and assess the state of the natural systems. In several eco-lodges, close to 80 cameras for this purpose have been placed.
During the first two years, the camera traps helped us to know that 4 of the big cats (puma, ocelot, jaguarundi and ocelot) are doing well in the dense tropical forests of the Pacific coastal region of Costa Rica. But the jaguar remains in critical danger, according to the non-profit Osa Conservación organization, who runs the camera-trap program,”
said the NY Times.
In several hotels, Jaguars have been seen near the gardens by staff and visitors. However, this information contrasts with the fact that the cameras have only filmed one of them in an entire year.
The chances of seeing a cat are pretty slim. People will walk the trails and they are not seen often,”
says the report.
In Osa Peninsula, the plan is to have a total of 200 cameras in the coming months.