Why the Black Jaguar?

The Black Jaguar is the focus of our foundation for the following 4 reasons:

1. Symbol of the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest

The Black Jaguar is the icon of the Amazon rainforest and symbolizes the endangerment of all species and the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.

2. The Jaguar is the ‘top predator’

On top of the food chain, the jaguar is required to keep a balance in the ecosystem: regulating population sizes of species such as peccaries, capybara, and caiman. Maintenance of this delicate balance has direct impact on the biodiversity of the natural habitat.

3. Role of the Jaguar as  ‘umbrella species’

Since the jaguar needs large areas to survive and reproduce, it is considered an umbrella species. By preserving the habitat needed for the jaguar to survive, all other species in the ecosystem benefit from the jaguars' protection.

4. The mythical Jaguar is an endangered species

The Black Jaguar is a magic beast. It’s strength, beauty, intelligence and elegance, makes it one of the worlds favorite in the animal kingdom. The myths about the black jaguar go back to Mayan and Aztec civilizations (2000 BC - 1500 AD). The fact it has never been filmed in the wild reinforces its mythical status. Unfortunately humans have wiped out 97% of the jaguar population. Of the expected 10.000 still existing wild jaguars an estimation of 600 are black.