The jaguar population in Sinaloa is showing signs of recovery, according to the most recent results from the 2024 National Jaguar Census, conducted by researchers from the Faculty of Biology at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa (UAS) in coordination with the National Alliance for Jaguar Conservation.
According to researcher Yamel Rubio Rocha, the study revealed not only the presence of adult males and females but also cubs — a key indicator confirming active reproduction and improved habitat conditions for the species.
“We found adult jaguars, but also little ones,” she said. “That gives us great joy and hope that the population is recovering.”
Despite these encouraging findings, Rubio Rocha emphasized that the jaguar remains an endangered species, attributing its population decline to habitat disturbance, hunting, and misinformation. She explained that some ranchers still see jaguars as a threat to their livestock.
“We have scientifically proven that the jaguar’s impact on livestock is very low,” she noted. “Even so, we’re working with ranchers on coexistence strategies to prevent conflict and protect both livestock and wildlife.”
The monitoring, carried out in dry forests across northern and southern Sinaloa, estimates that there are currently around 230 jaguars distributed along the state’s biological corridor.
The municipalities of San Ignacio and Concordia show the highest concentration of sightings, where the research team has installed camera traps and uses geographic information systems (GIS) to model the felines’ movement and presence patterns.
The researcher highlighted that the jaguar’s recovery is not only an environmental achievement but also a cultural and symbolic triumph, as the species has long represented strength, power, and resilience since pre-Hispanic civilizations.