Jaguars are apex predators of South American rainforest and wetland, facing persecution from cattle ranchers who kill them in retaliation for livestock depredation. Livestock guardian programs and depredation compensation schemes are reducing conflict.
Jaguars killed in retaliatory poisoning, trapping, or shooting experience the acute welfare harms of any large carnivore persecuted in conflict. Cubs orphaned by the killing of their mothers face starvation and predation. The cycle of jaguar depredation and retaliatory killing can be broken through livestock guardian dogs, night corrals, and compensation schemes — all of which prevent welfare harm to both jaguars and cattle.