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WCC 2020 Res 090 - Activity Report

Submitted by aguilarz on Tue, 11/26/2024 - 18:05
General Information
Continental conservation priority for the jaguar (Panthera onca)
IUCN Constituent: 
Regional Office for South America
IUCN Constituent type: 
IUCN Secretariat
Period covered: 
2024
Geographic scope: 
Meso and South America
In implementing this Resolution your organization has worked/consulted with...
IUCN Members: 
Asociación para la Conservación, Investigación de la Biodiversidad y el Desarrollo Sostenible ( SAVIA ) / Bolivia
IUCN Commissions: 
IUCN Species Survival Commission 2021-2025 (SSC)
IUCN Secretariat: 
Yes
Other non-IUCN related organisations: 
Tech4Nature
Implementation
Indicate and briefly describe any actions that have been carried out to implement this Resolution: 
ActionDescriptionStatus
Capacity-buildingCapacity-building workshops empower local communities with technical skills, enabling them to operate AI-driven monitoring tools and contribute to long-term conservation goals. These workshops also foster a deeper connection between communities and conservation efforts, recognizing their critical role as custodians of the jaguar’s habitat. Their involvement ensures the sustainability of conservation measures and promotes coexistence between human activities and wildlife.On-going
Capacity-buildingThe Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IUCN and WWF is instrumental in advancing jaguar conservation through targeted actions like the Tech4Nature initiative and related efforts in Ecuador and the Amazon. It directly supports the implementation of Resolution WCC-2020-Res-090-ES by establishing a framework for innovative, participatory, and scalable conservation practices. Monitoring and Technology Integration: The MoU facilitates the use of AI-driven tools, including Jaguar Assurance Standards (JAGS), tailored for monitoring jaguar populations and habitat health. These tools enhance data accuracy and inform effective management strategies, aligning with the resolution’s call for technological advancement in species conservation. Community Capacity Building: The MoU emphasizes strengthening local community involvement through training programs and workshops. These efforts enable communities to operate monitoring tools and engage in conservation strategies, promoting sustainability and addressing the resolution’s focus on inclusive and participatory conservation. Ecological Connectivity and Planning: A critical component of the MoU is restoring and managing ecological corridors, particularly in protected areas such as the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. These efforts enhance habitat connectivity, counter fragmentation, and integrate jaguar conservation into broader territorial management, as outlined in the resolution. Policy and Governance Support: The agreement ensures conservation priorities are embedded in regional and national policies, linking jaguar protection to sustainable development frameworks. This supports the resolution’s directives for strategic planning, governance integration, and long-term ecological resilience. - None -
Field activitiesThe Tech4Nature initiative, a collaboration between IUCN, Huawei, and key regional partners, has emerged as a groundbreaking effort to advance jaguar conservation in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Through a combination of cutting-edge technology and community-driven approaches, this initiative directly addresses the priorities outlined in Resolution WCC-2020-Res-090-ES, which underscores the importance of jaguar conservation as a continental priority. Field Activities: The initiative’s core strength lies in its fieldwork. Camera traps and acoustic sensors equipped with AI technology have been deployed across key habitats to monitor jaguar populations with unprecedented accuracy. These devices detect movement and sounds, allowing for real-time data collection and analysis of jaguar behavior and ecosystem health. Rainforest Connection’s acoustic technology complements these efforts by capturing the subtle sounds of the forest, identifying jaguar vocalizations, and detecting illegal activities such as hunting or deforestation. Field teams, including members from local communities and conservation organizations, are integral to these operations. They are actively engaged in setting up and maintaining monitoring equipment, as well as participating in data collection and habitat assessment. Their on-the-ground knowledge ensures the accurate identification of jaguar tracks, prey availability, and ecological disturbances, aligning with the resolution’s call for participatory conservation approaches.On-going
Scientific/technical activitiesData collected from the field is stored and analyzed on cloud platforms provided by Huawei. This scientific approach strengthens decision-making processes, informs policy development, and guides habitat management strategies. By linking field observations with advanced analytics, the initiative bridges the gap between technology and practical conservation.On-going
Please report on the result /achievement of the actions taken: 
The Tech4Nature initiative has delivered groundbreaking results in advancing jaguar conservation in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, directly addressing the priorities outlined in Resolution WCC-2020-Res-090-ES. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and fostering community involvement, this program has significantly enhanced species monitoring, habitat management, and conservation impact. Achievements in Monitoring and Habitat Protection: The deployment of AI-powered camera traps and acoustic sensors has transformed how jaguar populations are monitored. This technology enables real-time detection of jaguars, their prey, and threats such as illegal hunting and habitat degradation. The initiative’s integration of advanced data analytics ensures a precise understanding of population dynamics and habitat health, aligning with the resolution’s call for effective planning and strategic intelligence measures. Fieldwork has played a central role in achieving these results. Teams comprising conservation experts and trained local community members have conducted comprehensive habitat assessments, identified ecological corridors.
What challenges have you encountered in implementing this Resolution and what measures have you taken to overcome them?: 
Challenges include poaching, limited community capacity, and fragmented habitats. To address these, Tech4Nature enhanced monitoring with AI, trained communities in conservation skills, and restored ecological corridors, ensuring connectivity and resilience. Collaborative efforts with local stakeholders and advanced technology have effectively mitigated these issues.
Identify and briefly describe what future actions are planned for the implementation of this Resolution: 
Future ActionDescription
Capacity-buildingConservation efforts for the jaguar in South America have made significant strides, driven by IUCN members and their partners. In Ecuador, work has advanced on defining a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IUCN and WWF to formalize collaboration in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. The MoU focuses on implementing Green List certification standards and developing jaguar-specific monitoring modules (JAGS) to ensure habitat management.
Policy influencing/advocacyThe Tech4Nature initiative begins a second two-year phase focused on scaling AI-powered monitoring systems, enhancing data precision on jaguar populations and habitat health. Efforts include restoring ecological corridors to improve connectivity and genetic flow, integrating conservation metrics into territorial policies, and advancing local capacity through technical training.
Additional Information
External link(s): 
Ethical Use of AI systems for Biodiversity Protection: The Case of Tech4Nature Mexico
Harnessing the power of AI and community centered approaches to monitor Jaguars in the Yucatan Peninsula