The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) released a video captured in the municipality of Tinum- Yucatan, by a camera trap that shows two jaguars wandering near the archaeological zone of Chichen Itzá – one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
The device, installed as part of a local fauna monitoring program, allowed this emblematic species to be registered in a site of great symbolism for Mayan culture.
The figure of the jaguar has a prominent presence in the art and architecture of Chichen Itza, being considered a symbol of power and life in the underworld according to the Mayan worldview. Its appearance in this area underlines the close connection of the animal with the traditions and beliefs of Mesoamerica.
The jaguar threatened in Mexico
The jaguar is one of the most representative species of the Mesoamerican fauna, but it currently faces a serious risk of extinction in Mexico. The destruction of its natural habitat due to agricultural expansion and the construction of infrastructure, often without adequate mitigation measures, has significantly reduced its population.
Of the 36 species of felines that exist in the world, 18 live in the jungles of America and six of them in Mexico, supposedly in five regions of the country. In 1900, a population of 100,000 jaguars was estimated, a figure that has decreased drastically over time. Despite these threats, records such as Chichen Itzá contribute to conservation efforts of this species and its environment.
According to Infobae, INAH highlighted that documenting the presence of jaguars in the archaeological zone helps to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these felines and their habitat, keys to preserving both biodiversity and Mexico’s cultural legacy.