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Federal Probe Launched Into Presumed Killing of Reintroduced Jaguar Acaí in Argentina’s Chaco

A mortality alert led teams to her submerged tracking collar in the Bermejo River, prompting pledges of prosecution.

Overview

  • The National Parks Administration filed a criminal complaint in the Federal Court of Roque Sáenz Peña, and federal prosecutors and police are conducting operations.
  • Chaco governor Leandro Zdero said the province will act as a private prosecutor if the killing is confirmed, vowing there will be no impunity.
  • Acaí’s last GPS fix was recorded on October 25, and her collar was later located underwater via VHF signal; her body has not been found.
  • Conservationists suspect poaching and say collar data could identify those responsible, while sources linked to the inquiry report a suspect has been identified but not publicly confirmed.
  • The jaguar is a legally protected Monumento Natural in Argentina with fines and potential prison for killing, and Acaí’s loss is a setback to the El Impenetrable reintroduction program.