Itaipu Biological Refuge Celebrates Birth of Two Jaguar Cubs
By Iolanda Fonseca
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Thursday, June 27th, the Itaipu Biological Refuge, in Foz do Iguaçu, western Paraná, introduced the two first jaguar cubs born in the facility since the beginning of the captive reproduction project in 2007.
The two newborns – one a spotted male (Panthera Onça) and the other a black female (Melanistic Jaguar) – are siblings of jaguar Cacau, daughter of Valente and Nena. They were born on June 1st and have not yet been baptized. The names shall be chosen by voting.
On Thursday, both cubs underwent health screenings, and their sex was determined. This species is endangered.
Founded in 1984 to shelter animals rescued from the area flooded for the Itaipu hydroelectric dam development, the refuge is one of the few nature reserves in the south of Brazil that is noted for captive reproduction of endangered species such as the harpy, the tapir and the pygmy brocket.
The first jaguar came to the refuge in 2002. Juma was captured in the Iguaçu National Park region. In 2007, she earned a partner, Tonhão, who previously lived at the Ilha Solteira Zoo. Despite attempts to draw the two together, they had no cubs.
In the same year, Valente, still a cub, was abandoned on a farm on the border between Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo and was brought to the refuge.
In 2016, he met his three-year-old partner, Nena, who also came from a farm in Mato Grosso do Sul.
In late December, three months after the two first met, two cubs were born, but only one survived: Cacau.
The refuge is home to a zoo open for visitation with 32 enclosures and 172 animals of 50 species.
Key Facts
— Deep Dive
— For the complete picture, read our in-depth guide: Paraguay: Washington's Most Valued Ally in Latin America
This article was drafted with automated assistance and reviewed before publication. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
Read More from The Rio Times