Local news and opinion reaching the communities of nosara, samarA and Nicoya
Log in |
Return to homepage
home regional community sports entertainment surf nature health en Espa�ol English
     
Archives
December 09
January 2010
February 2010
Water Edition
March 2010
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
August 2010
September 10
October 10
November 10
December 10
January 2011
February 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
September 11
October 11
November 11
December 11
January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
April 2012
May 2012
June 2012
July 2012
August 2012
September 12
October 12
November 12
December 12
January 13
February 13
March 13
April 13
May 13
 
Media
Partners
  El Pais
  Inside Costa Rica
  Costa Spirit
  Q Costa Rica
  Today Costa Rica
  El Sabanero
connect
FaceBook
Twitter
 
CLASSIFIEDS
 
community
  Nosara Animal Care
   
  Nosara Info
   
Esquelita de Nosara
  Friends of Nosara
   
  Nosara Civic Association
  Nosara
Wildlife

Wild Cats are Endangered in Nicoya's Coastal Areas

• ACT recognizes that these animals are nearly extinct
Several shelters and rescue centers safeguard the remaining species

By Wilberth Villalobos Castrillo

Their footprints on the sand, their spots and stripes, their agility when climbing and running at great speed, their intimidating gaze and even the striking scent of their presence...these are all disappearing.

The phrase “beware, the tiger or lion lurks out there”, which our grandparents used to say so often, has been silenced in much of Nicoya. The number of wild cats that once came down the mountains to hunt for their prey in the coastal areas has decreased significantly, to the extent that today no one knows for sure how many of them are in the area.

What we do know for sure is that they are on the verge of extinction. For José Benavides, wildlife supervisor at the Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT – Área de Conservación Tempisque), wild cats “are seldom seen since they are endangered.” 

He mentioned a report received by the ACT regarding a black cougar that was recently seen in Los Esterones, Sámara. “One of the area's residents reported seeing him eating a coati; however some people were frightened and several hunters were eager to kill him even though he was doing no harm”, he affirmed.

A striking recent case, which took place in an area outside Guanacaste, involved a dead panther in Pejibaye, Turrialba. In pictures published on Facebook, the animal was shown decapitated, receiving strong criticism from hundreds of the site's users.

Laura Brenes, a veterinarian and official at the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge (Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Ostional), mentioned that the biological corridors are limited, since there are now fewer forest areas, which is the cat's natural habitat.

She remembers a few years back in Ostional, when an ocelot cub became ill with myiasis (screwworm). The animal was treated and taken to Las Pumas Rescue Shelter in Cañas.

Shelters Seem to be the Only Option for Wild Cats
Faced with the threat of extinction, Guanacaste's few shelters and rescue centers have become home to many wild cats, as well as other endangered species.

This is the case of Las Pumas Rescue Shelter, which has served as a hospital and home to many animals for the past 40 years. Currently the shelter is home to an ocelot, a jaguarundi, a margay, a cougar and a jaguar - five of the six wild cat species that inhabit Costa Rica.

The shelter narrates the story of each of its guests, like Rafa the Jaguar. This cat was rescued in Guatuso, Upala when he was just a two-month old cub. Hunters pursued Rafa’s mother while she was chasing cattle on a farm. Although she escaped, Rafa wasn't able to run fast enough since a splinter got stuck in one of his paws. He was captured by the hunters but was later rescued by MINAET officials, who took him to the shelter. Rafa is now over 12 years old and weighs 45 kilograms.

Another shelter that helps wild animals is La Selva in Playa Carrillo. La Selva opened 10 years ago and receives animals from surrounding areas. Elena Núñez, one of its employees, recalled that two years ago she received two jaguarundi cubs that had been injured near the runway at Carrillo's airport.

“We've seen a decrease in the number of animals in the area. The problem is money, since people build and buy new homes and in turn destroy the animal's habitat," she affirmed.

Will we ever see wild cats in their natural habitat again, hunting or climbing trees in the wild? Or will it only be possible to admire them trapped in a metal cage? 

For now the future of these species seems to be in captivity, since those who should be looking out for their conservation are the very same who not only hunt them down, but also take away their homes.

 
Jaguarundi
(Herpailurus yaguaroundi)
They adapt well to areas that are disturbed
by humans. These cats are mainly diurnal and
terrestrial; it is easy to observe them
crossing paths during the day. Two coat
colors: dark gray and reddish brown. This
species is in danger of extinction.
   
 
Oncilla – Little Spotted Cat
(Leopardus tigrinus)
With a weight of 1,4-2,8 kg (5 lbs), it is the
smallest species in Costa Rica. It is believed
to be nocturnal and terrestrial; however, it
climbs trees with great ease. It feeds on
small birds and mice. It is an endangered
species.
   
 
Mountain Lion (Puma concolor –
also known as Puma or Cougar)

A rather large cat, the puma or cougar may
weigh between 24-65 kg (100 lbs);
however, they are classified as small cats
because they emit a purr and not a roar as
the jaguar does. It pursues a wide variety of
prey, but its favorite is the white-tailed
deer. In danger of extinction.
   
 
Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
Ocelots are mainly nocturnal but may hunt
during the day. Their purring is usually
stronger in captivity than in the wild. It is
an endangered species.
   
 
Jaguar (Panthera onca)
It is the largest predator in America, with a
weigh that ranges from 30-100 kg (160 lbs).
It kills small prey by pouncing on it and large
prey with a bite on the neck or the head. Life
span in captivity: 20 years and in the wild:
10-12. It is an endangered species.
   
 
Margay (Leopardus wiedii)
A nocturnal animal. It is considered the most
arboreal cat of the New World. It rests
during the day on tree branches at 7 to 10
meters. It has the ability of rotating its wrist
180º, which helps it climb up and down trees
more easily. They are in danger of extinction.


 

More Nature News

Electronic Waste to be Collected in Nosara

Nosareño’s care about their environment, in the last two months there has been a dump road clean-up, roadside clean-up and the continued drive to fund and build a recycling centre, and now for the first time ever, electronic waste collection.

Recycling Centre Takes $7500 Step Towards Reality

Nosara’s proposed recycling centre took another step towards fruition this past weekend. The recycling association held an information night and fundraiser at Hotel L’Acqua Viva on June 9.

Volunteers Plant 150 Trees in Los Esterones of Sámara

Mission accomplished. On Saturday, April 2, volunteers planted 120 trees along stretches of Buena Vista Beach that were burnt on January 14, 2011, as well as 30 trees around the soccer field behind the community hall of Esterones, about 15 minutes from Samara. 

Contact us: NOSARA [email protected] / PUBLICITY and ADVERTISING [email protected]
Copyright 2012© The Voice of Nosara