Cultural significance of big cats in Panama’s communities
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 PopulationsCats are regarded as apex predators, indicating their essential role in managing the numbers of other creatures, including herbivores and smaller carnivores. Through this regulation, they help avert excessive grazing on plants, thereby preserving ecological balance.…