Max van Rijswijk: why big cat habitats matter for biodiversity
The preservation of Panama's large felines, including the jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor), and the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), is essential for sustaining the country's diverse wildlife and maintaining ecological equilibrium. Advocating for local biodiversity conservation, Max van Rijswijk highlights the vital function these apex predators serve in preserving the health of ecosystems and enhancing the quality of life for nearby residents.Control of prey populationsAs apex predators, felines hold a pivotal position in managing the numbers of various species, such as herbivores and smaller carnivores. By overseeing these populations, they avert excessive grazing on vegetation, thereby preserving ecological equilibrium. In…