In the Magdalena Medio region of Santander, Colombia, a coalition has formed to protect wildlife, particularly the endangered jaguar, from vehicular accidents caused by new road constructions.
The development of 4G highways has disrupted natural habitats, leading to a significant increase in animal fatalities. According to Ana María Botero, a technical leader at the Fundación Cuidar La Tierra, over 14,600 hectares of ecosystems have been isolated by these roads, resulting in numerous wildlife deaths despite the installation of wildlife crossings.
This area has been dubbed 'The Triangle of Death' due to the high number of animal casualties at the intersection of major roadways. On November 29, coinciding with International Jaguar Day, authorities, NGOs, and local businesses gathered at San Isidro farm in Barrancabermeja to establish an alliance aimed at conserving jaguar populations.
The initiative, termed 'The Triangle of Life,' will involve actions such as forest restoration, environmental education, and mitigation of human-predator conflicts. Additionally, funding mechanisms have been activated to monitor jaguars and their prey.
Local stakeholders, including Gustavo Gutiérrez from Agroinversiones Ipacarai, have also committed to creating the Jaguar Biological Station at San Isidro. This facility will serve as a hub for monitoring jaguar populations, promoting sustainable production, and safeguarding the felines' habitat.
Actions will include protecting waterway buffers, prohibiting hunting and fishing, and training farm workers to become guardians of the jaguar species, ensuring the preservation of this critical ecosystem.