Corumbá implements patrols in response to jaguar sightings
Following 11 confirmed sightings of jaguars (*Panthera onca*) in the city of Corumbá, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) has launched a new phase of safety measures to protect residents.
Patrols have been established to monitor the city's streets.
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According to Fabiane Souza, an environmental analyst at IBAMA, the initiative builds upon efforts already in progress.
"From now on, we are entering a new phase of joint action to bring new alternatives and strategies to the community," the environmental analyst explained.
The initiative involves collaboration between various agencies, NGOs, and institutions, including the Environmental Military Police (PMA), Instituto Homem Pantaneiro (IHP), and the Pantanal Environment Foundation. The program now also includes support from the *Prevfogo* fire prevention brigade.
The first night patrol of neighborhoods—reinforced by Prevfogo teams—has already been carried out in search of the big cats.
Searches are being conducted in strategic locations where jaguars have previously been sighted, such as along the BR-262 highway, near the Federal Highway Police building, the Capivara Lookout, and the Cacimba da Saúde area—a park where a jaguar previously attempted to attack a dog.
Operations began around 5 p.m. and continued until 7 p.m. Morning patrols start at 4:30 a.m. and end at 6:30 a.m.
The strategies focus on monitoring and driving the animals away from urban areas.
According to Fabiane, agents rely heavily on the use of light and sound to deter the animals. The patrol teams use sirens and flashing lights from their vehicles, ensuring that neither the animals nor the teams are put at risk.
The goal of scaring the jaguars off is to promote safer coexistence and ensure the safety of the local population.
According to IBAMA-MS, there is currently no need to capture the jaguars. Capture is considered only in extreme situations, as it does not address the root cause of the issue and may pose risks to the animals' health.