Jaguar sanctuary in Guyana

A vast area of the Guyanese rainforest, restricted from human access for over fifty years due to the presence of the Guiana Space Center (CSG), has unintentionally become a sanctuary for jaguars, one of South America's largest predators.

History of the restricted area

The area, owned by the French space agency CNES and used as a launch site for Ariane rockets, was established in 1968 after France lost its previous launch site in Algeria. The restricted area, which some sources estimate at around 66,000 hectares or up to 75,000 hectares, was originally secured for safety and technical confidentiality reasons, not for ecological preservation.

Thriving wildlife in the area

The absence of human hunting in the area has allowed prey species such as pacas, tapirs, and peccaries to thrive, which in turn has attracted a significant number of jaguars. Although no comprehensive scientific study has quantified the jaguar population, observations and testimonies suggest a high concentration of the species in the region.

Isolation as a protective factor

The area's isolation, enforced through security measures and navigation restrictions during rocket launches, has created an environment where jaguars can live without the threat of human intrusion or hunting pressure. CNES has not intentionally created a nature reserve, but the result is a conservation model that has allowed jaguars to flourish.

Unintended conservation success

This accidental sanctuary raises questions about the effectiveness of traditional conservation efforts and whether other areas could benefit from similar unintended protections. The CSG's restricted area, while not designed as an ecological reserve, has become one by chance, highlighting an unexpected balance between space exploration and wildlife preservation.