Quadrants Identified for Jucumari Bear Monitoring in Amboró Park | Identifican cuadrantes para el monitoreo del Oso Jucumari en el Parque Amboró

By Los Tiempos:

In the Amboró National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area (PN-ANMI), priority quadrants have been identified for monitoring the Jucumari bear [spectacled bear] in the areas of Comarapa, Santa Rosa, and Samaipata in the department of Santa Cruz.

These consist of three priority quadrants, each covering 16 square kilometers (km²) and further divided into 1 km² sub-quadrants. Defining these areas allows for assessing and monitoring the species’ occupancy, facilitating conservation efforts in strategic zones.

Currently, the protection team is conducting monitoring through the identification of presence indicators such as hair, feces, scratches, footprints, and feeding sites in various habitats within PN-ANMI Amboró.

This work is supported by WCS Bolivia and carried out within the framework of the Jucumari Program, implemented by the National Museum of Natural History.

As a priority conservation target in Amboró, according to the Management Plan, the Jucumari bear requires critical protection due to habitat loss and population decline.

The Jucumari Program is fully aligned with the objectives of PN-ANMI Amboró’s creation and the conservation goals established in the Protected Area’s Management Plan.

Protecting this species not only ensures the ecological balance of the region but also fosters environmental sustainability and promotes local community involvement.

The Jucumari bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is an iconic species and the only bear native to South America. Its range includes Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, making it the largest mammal in its ecosystems. Its presence is a key indicator of environmental quality in natural areas.

Also known as the Andean bear, spectacled bear, or jucumari, it is distinguished by white or brown markings on its face, forming unique patterns around its eyes. These solitary animals find refuge in trees or natural caves, and their diet primarily consists of plant matter from families such as Bromeliaceae, Ericaceae, Rosaceae, and Symplocaceae.

Leave a comment