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To give an example of the region’s natural importance, the Corcovado National Park represents a 2.5% of the entire world’s biodiversity in just 105,193 acres of land and 4,730 marine acres.
A local scientist from the National University, Eduardo Carrillo, has been studying the White-Lipped Peccary’s behaviors in the Corcovado National Park. The pig-like species is one of the main food sources of the endangered Jaguar, also found in the park. The Jaguar has practically disappeared in all Meso-America and Panama. There are an approximate 50 Jaguars left in the Corcovado National Park.
Carrillo mentioned that in 2001, an average of two peccaries were spotted per each kilometer. Thanks to Park Ranger’s hard work in controlling illegal hunting of the species, an average 15 peccaries are currently spotted per each kilometer. However, according to Carillo, the positive increase of the White-Lipped Peccary in Corcovado does not guarantee an increase in the Jaguar’s population.
The White-Lipped Peccary is considered one of the most dangerous among its kind as it will fiercely defend its herd and territory. It has been said that a herd of White-Lipped Peccaries can kill a Jaguar if it tries to attack one of its members.
The presence of Park Rangers since 2005 in the Corcovado National Park has greatly benefited the region’s biodiversity and hopefully its fast path to recovery.
