Jaguar Identification Project

Formed in 2013, The Jaguar Identification Project is a non-profit organization that utilizes citizen-science, a fun way to collaborate volunteer information to build a cohesive database on individual jaguars which reside within the northern Pantanal region of Porto Jofre, Mato Grosso. Specifically jaguars found along the Transpantaneira Highway and in the Encontro Das Aguas State Park and surround area. The relaxed nature of the jaguars has provided a rare chance to follow various lineages and document the lives of these elusive cats.
Like fingerprints, jaguars have individual markings; the distinct patterns on their fur is unique to each cat. The idiosyncratic fur enables researchers a leg up on tracking and observing each animal throughout their lives, meaning more data is consistently available for the growing research being conducted in the Pantanal.
The methodology for cataloging individual jaguars in this region includes facial recognition created mainly by tourist and guides. Photographs submitted which are used most often include shots of both the left and right sides of each cat’s body and their face, this methodology has created a growing database of 182 individual jaguars. The process of registering individual cats has provided a unique amount of data on each animal’s behavior, lineages, relationships, home ranges, and movement.
Relations between animals and humans are important for successful research; however, the Jaguar Identification Project has strived to create a strong bond between researchers and the local tourism operators, guides and boat drivers of the region. The mutually beneficial relation provides explicit access to local knowledge which provides researchers and observers an awareness of which exact jaguars are likely to be seen. In addition to how researchers benefit from working with locals, the presence of jaguars and researchers in the area has given a tangible economic boost visible by the additional jobs created for the local residents. This knowledge has fostered a passion for conducting research in a method which is educational, sustainable and completely un-invasive to the cats.
As the increasing connectedness of the internet brings each human closer to one another’s experience, the Jaguar Identification Project has taken to the web via social media and our website to raise awareness for conservation efforts and allow people an experience into the lives of the Pantanal jaguars.