Posted on diciembre, 11 2025

1. Background 

The State of the Jaguar Report will be a compelling, evidence-based, and periodic publication (likely every three to five years) that synthesizes trends in jaguar distribution, abundance, threats, and conservation responses across the species’ range, as well as highlights critical information gaps. The first edition will serve as a foundational “reference report,” drawing primarily on existing literature and data, and complemented by new targeted spatial and quantitative analyses. It will also function as a repository of published information to support decision-making, policy development, and advocacy. Building on this evidence base, the report aims to drive greater ambition, urgency, and coordinated action for jaguar conservation among policymakers, donors, the private sector, and civil society. It is intended to strengthen regional and global awareness of the species’ status, highlight priority threats and opportunities, inform conservation planning, and catalyze greater action and resource mobilization under the Jaguar 2030 Roadmap and the Regional Action Plan for Jaguar Conservation. 

The report is envisioned to be a cross-organisational collaboration, coordinated by a Steering Group composed of WWF (Chair of the Group), Panthera, and other partners under the umbrella of the Jaguar 2030 Roadmap Committee.  

2. Objectives of the Consultancy 

To produce a comprehensive, scientifically rigorous, and compelling State of the Jaguar Report that synthesizes the best available evidence across the species’ range and supports decision-making, policy advocacy, and resource mobilization. 

Specifically, the consultant will draft the full report text, including narrative text, key messages, and data-driven insights, in close coordination with the Steering Group formed by representatives of all contributing organisations. 

1. Conduct the spatial and quantitative analyses needed to generate updated, integrated metrics and maps on jaguar status, threats, habitat change, and conservation responses across the range. 
2. Develop and refine visual content, including tables, maps, graphs, and other data visualizations, ensuring clarity, accuracy and alignment with the report’s communication objectives. 
3. Prepare a complete analytical package, including processed datasets, analytical code, metadata, and documentation, to ensure replicability and facilitate updates for future editions. 

3. Scope of Work and Key Tasks 

The consultant will be responsible for two main workstreams: (1) Report drafting and synthesis, incorporating evidence from the literature, case studies, and qualitative and quantitative insights from partners; and (2) analytical and spatial data work, generating metrics, maps, and visualizations to support the report’s findings. 

Under these workstreams, the consultant will carry out the following tasks: 

3.1 Preparatory Work 

The consultant will: 

·       Review and refine the existing detailed outline of the report. 

·       Review, organize, and expand the current compilation of literature, datasets, and case studies. 

·       Identify key evidence gaps and propose additional sources or analyses needed. 

·       Set up a structured system for managing references, datasets, and analytical outputs. 

3.2 Development of Report Content and Analyses 

Based on the refined outline and evidence base, the consultant will: 

·       Draft all narrative text for the report. 

·       Develop all visual elements, including tables, maps, graphs, and infographics. 

·       Conduct all required spatial and quantitative analyses. 

·       Produce processed datasets, analytical code, and documentation to enable future updates. 

This work covers the development of the seven main sections of the report: 

1. The Importance of Jaguars 

• Draft a synthesis of literature on the ecological and cultural importance of jaguars, their natural history, ecology, and their economic and ecosystem service values. 
• Compile quotes, examples, and evidence on cultural significance from WWF offices and partners. 

 

2. Red List Status:  

• Summarize global, national, and subpopulation-level Red List status assessments and trends, and produce a summary map. 

 

3. Changes in Distribution, Habitat Extent, and Connectivity:  
   Distribution

• Compile and summarize historic, 2002, 2015, and 2020 jaguar range datasets (IUCN Red List, Jędrzejewski et al. 2023, Ceballos et al. 2021), as well as upcoming Red List range update. 
•  Derive country-level statisctics (range area and area lost) and produce maps illustrating changes over time.  
  
  Habitat Extent 
• Summarise available Act Green results and describe methodology.  
  
  Connectivity  
• Summarise jaguar genetics literature relevant to connectivity.  
• Calculate the percentage of jaguar range included in Jaguar Conservation Units (JCUs) and corridors. 
• Summarise results and methods of Protected Areas and Indigenous Lands connectivity study (University of Oxford and WWF).  

4. Change in Abundance:  

• Synthesize existing knowledge on local and global jaguar population numbers, drawing on literature and partner information on sites with monitored trends. Estimate historic jaguar numbers using historic distribution and the Jędrzejewski et al. 2018 potential density layer. 
• Derive estimates of jaguars lost or affected by habitat loss or degradation (2015–2024) as estimated in section 5, following methods in De Barros et al. 2022 and Menezes et al. 2021. 

 

5. Threats and Drivers:  
   Review peer-reviewed literature, databases, reports, and relevant unpublished information from Steering Group organisations on impact on jaguars of:  

• habitat loss and drivers (e.g. commodities and infrastructure) 
• prey decline 
• direct killing due to conflict and IWT (including insights from the Go Insight IWT report)  
• climate change impacts (WWF has compiled literature)  
  
  Link evidence where possible to tipping points narrative. 
  
  Spatial analysis:  
• Overlay jaguar range with Global Forest Watch tree loss data, and fire, mining, and road and other linear infrastructure datasets (2015–2024) to quantify total habitat lost or degraded. 
• Produce country-level and regional yearly estimates of areas affected by forest loss, mining, fire, and roads and other linear infrastructure. For road and other linear infrastructure impacts, determine appropriate buffer widths using literature and/or jaguar telemetry datasets. 
• Assess overlaps and synergies among drivers (e.g. % of forest loss near roads). 
• Map and quantify the proportion of jaguar range that overlaps with cattle ranching areas as a proxy for human-jaguar conflict risk.  

 

6. Conservation Action - policy context, gaps, and solutions
   Compile and summarize global and national policies, key case studies and successful jaguar conservation interventions framed around the objectives of the Regional Action Plan for Jaguar Conservation.  Outline how jaguar conservation contributes to climate and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) goals.  
   
   Spatial analysis on:  

• Estimate the percentage of jaguar range covered by Protected Areas and Indigenous Territories (database available). 

 

7. Conclusions and Recommendations 

• Develop conclusions aligned with relevant policy frameworks (e.g. Regional Action plan for Jaguar Conservation, GBF). 
• Prepare stakeholder-specific calls to action (government, donors, private sector, civil society). 
• Deep dive on linear infrastructure/roads:  
  • Produce maps showing overlap between existing/planned roads and jaguar range, JCUs and corridors, and corridors between PAs and ITs to identify priority areas where road prevention or mitigation is critical for jaguar conservation. 
  • Prepare a set of recommendations tailored to different life stages. 
• Identify Information gaps and research priorities.  
• Conduct a horizon scan of emerging issues and opportunities for jaguar conservation (e.g. sustainable finance).  

Additional deliverables  

• Produce an executive summary and policy briefs tailored to policymakers and other strategic audiences. 

4. Deliverables 

5. Required Qualifications 

• Advanced degree (PhD or MSc) in ecology, conservation biology, environmental science, or related field. 
• Proven experience with large-scale spatial and ecological data analysis, including the use of ArcGIS/QGIS and analytical tools such as R or Python). 
• Strong scientific writing and synthesis skills, with demonstrated experience producing technical reports, assessments, or peer-reviewed publications 
• Experience working with species distribution, population, or habitat data, ideally in a jaguar conservation context. 
• Familiarity with global or regional biodiversity assessment frameworks, conservation indicators, or conservation policy tools (experience with big-cat or large-vertebrate conservation is an asset but not required) 
• Excellent coordination and communication skills, including experience working in multi-institutional or interdisciplinary collaborations. 
• Ability to work independently, adaptively, and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed deadlines.  
• Fluency in English required; Spanish and/or Portuguese strongly desirable. 

6. Supervision and Coordination 

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of WWF and the Steering Committee with representation from Panthera, and other members of the Jaguar 2030 Roadmap Committee. 
Regular coordination meetings will be held to review progress, data products, and drafts. 

7. Duration  

Estimated duration: 8 months, from mid-January 2026 to August 2026 

8. Application Requirements 

Interested applicants should submit by January 4^th, 2026 to spetrone@wwfmex.org and vboron@wwf.org.uk:  

• A technical proposal outlining their approach, timeline, and relevant experience. 
• A financial proposal (daily rate and estimated total cost). 
• CV(s) of key personnel. 
• At least two examples of similar analytical or report-writing work. 

 

References 

De Barros, A.E., Morato, R.G., Fleming, C.H., Pardini, R., Oliveira-Santos, L.G.R., Tomas, W.M., Kantek, D.L., Tortato, F.R., Fragoso, C.E., Azevedo, F.C. and Thompson, J.J., 2022. Wildfires disproportionately affected jaguars in the Pantanal. Communications Biology, 5(1), p.1028.  

Jędrzejewski, W., Robinson, H.S., Abarca, M., Zeller, K.A., Velasquez, G., Paemelaere, E.A., Goldberg, J.F., Payan, E., Hoogesteijn, R., Boede, E.O. and Schmidt, K., et al. 2018. Estimating large carnivore populations at global scale based on spatial predictions of density and distribution–Application to the jaguar (Panthera onca). PloS one, 13(3), p.e0194719. 

Menezes, J.F., Tortato, F.R., Oliveira‐Santos, L.G., Roque, F.O. and Morato, R.G., 2021. Deforestation, fires, and lack of governance are displacing thousands of jaguars in Brazilian Amazon. Conservation Science and Practice, 3(8), p.e477. 

 

aS