Yara Barros, 59, has been up close to a jaguar many times. She has been the head of the Onças do Iguaçu Project since 2018, and her work is to conserve and increase the population of jaguars and pumas in Foz do Iguaçu (PR). She and her team do this by monitoring the animals and, most importantly, by teaching people who live in the region to substitute fear with wonder for the animals. In April, Yara’s efforts were recognized with the Whitley Award, internationally considered the “green Oscar” for environmental conservation initiatives. Carla M., 11, João Z., 10, and Letícia B., 11, all from Clube do Joca, interviewed Yara, who sent a message: “I want all children to be crazy about jaguars!”. Check out the conversation.

What is the main goal of the Iguaçu Jaguar Project?

We fight to save the population of jaguars that live in the Iguaçu National Park and in ten municipalities adjacent to it, seeking to ensure the increase in the number of animals. This is a species that people fear, because it is believed that it may attack people and cause financial damage, killing cattle, pigs, and sheep. So, we support the people living around the park in removing the animals that, for some reason, end up on their properties, and we work to change this perception, substituting fear with enchantment.

To your knowledge, how many jaguars are in the project’s area of operation?

The latest estimate is from 2022 and indicates that there are 94 jaguars, 25 of which are on the Brazilian side of the park. The result is encouraging: in 2009, they were almost extinct, with between nine and 11 individuals.

Have you ever been close to a jaguar?

Many times! We capture jaguars, and give them anesthesia to paralyze them so that we may collect blood and fur. We also put on special collars to monitor them via satellite. So I’ve seen them up close, which I think is fantastic.

How did this passion for jaguars come about?

I worked for many years with research and conservation of psittacines, which are the family of parrots, macaws, and parakeets. In 2018, I was invited to coordinate the carnivorous animal project at Iguaçu National Park. I had never worked with jaguars, but I knew about conservation, so I accepted the challenge. Two months later, I captured my first jaguar and then came face to face with an animal. It was enough to capture my heart forever!

What do you think is most magnificent about them?

What I really like are their fascinating golden eyes. They are incredible! Also, I admire the strength and power that emanates from this animal. Despite being absolutely powerful, it is extremely fragile when faced with humans.

Do jaguars attack people?

Generally, no. Jaguars tend to move away. But they can attack if they feel threatened — and even then, it happens in very specific situations, when they feel cornered, with nowhere to run to, or to protect their cubs or food. In the 85 years of history of the Iguaçu National Park, there has never been a conflict between jaguars and people.

What was the most serious accident you saw a jaguar have?

We have rescued some jaguars after they were run over, and we know that they are victims of poachers (illegal hunters) and are shot.

How do you feel about winning this award? What does it mean to you?

The Whitley Award has always been a dream of mine, so I feel really honored. I feel like it is recognition of a life dedicated to conservation, and of the good work of the team, which is made up of seven people.

Did the jaguars teach you anything?

A lot! I learned that where there are jaguars, there is life. This is because the forest needs to be in very good condition to sustain a jaguar population in the long term. They have taught me resilience, because my life has completely changed since I started working with them. They teach me how to enchant, and I think enchantment is a wonderful conservation tool. The jaguars give me this passion to continue taking care of them.

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