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El Camino del Jaguar: Freeing Bolivia’s First Jaguar
Si quieres leer este proyecto en español, haz click below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hKjO00fDY34odkCsySMyXcYD0yeTlUkr/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104969064127571638397&rtpof=true&sd=true
Why This Matters
In 2024, wildfires burned over 10 million hectares of Bolivia’s land, leaving hundreds of animals displaced. Among them was Yaguara, a 9-month-old jaguar cub found alone after losing her mother and brother to the flames. Too young to survive on her own, she was rescued and brought to Parque Ambue Ari, run by Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi (CIWY).
Now, Yaguara’s story could make history: she may become the first jaguar ever released back into the wild in Bolivia. Her release would not only give her freedom, but also establish the country’s first official protocol for rewilding jaguars and pumas — creating a path for many more big cats in the future.
Jaguars are keystone, umbrella, and flagship species. Protecting them protects entire ecosystems, making Yaguara’s release a landmark for biodiversity, climate resilience, and conservation culture in Bolivia.
Fundraising Objectives
- Primary Objective (Immediate Need): Raise the remaining $51,000 to build Yaguara’s 10,000 m² pre-release enclosure. This is the most urgent step to ensure her rehabilitation and prepare her for life in the wild.
- Secondary Objective (~9 months): Raise $38,000 to cover transportation, post-release monitoring, and community education programs that will ensure Yaguara’s successful adaptation and strengthen coexistence with local communities.
Who We Are
We are Crystal (from the USA) and Raúl (from Mexico). After a year working hands-on with rescued animals at CIWY, we saw firsthand how much hope Yaguara’s release represents — for her, for her species, and for Bolivia. To support her, we are cycling from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to Patagonia — thousands of kilometers across mountains and deserts — carrying her story as far as we can. Our journey is called the Camino del Jaguar, and it is both a ride for adventure and a ride for her freedom.
During the journey, we will be filming in cinematic quality with the intention of creating a documentary about the ride and the release of Yaguara.
Follow the adventure.
Instagram: @cstall_dawn and @coyotefotografomx
What Needs to Happen
For Yaguara to thrive in the wild, CIWY and partners (including the Bolivian government and WWF) must:
- Build a 10,000 m² pre-release enclosure deep in the jungle where she can learn to hunt and survive without human contact.
- Develop and validate Bolivia’s first national protocol for big cat rehabilitation, release, and monitoring.
- Train local rangers, and communities in monitoring, rescue, and coexistence practices.
- Release and monitor Yaguara using satellite tracking and camera traps to ensure her adaptation.
You can read more about the project here:
How You Can Help
This project requires significant resources — from enclosure construction to veterinary care, food, transport, and monitoring. While CIWY has secured official authorization and partnerships, funding remains the biggest barrier.
Your support directly funds:
- Building Yaguara’s pre-release enclosure (materials, labor, pool, and monitoring tower)
- Care and veterinary attention during her rehabilitation
- Transport and logistics to move her to a protected reserve
- GPS collar and post-release monitoring for at least 12 months
- Community education and coexistence initiatives
Project Timeline
- 2025: Build pre-release enclosure and begin rehabilitation
- Late 2025: Yaguara moves into her jungle training enclosure
- 2026: Soft release into a protected reserve
- 2026 onward: Monitoring and reporting
The Bigger Picture
This is about more than one jaguar. As fires, deforestation, and human-wildlife conflict increase, more big cats are arriving at sanctuaries with no way back to the wild. Yaguara’s release would be the first step toward a national rewilding model, proving that rehabilitation is possible and creating a precedent for other jaguars and pumas.
It is also about people: CIWY employs a majority-women team, collaborates with indigenous groups, and trains young Bolivians in conservation. Supporting Yaguara means supporting a whole network of local action against global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the total cost of the project?
The total project cost is estimated at $128,000 of which we are trying to raise $90,000. The largest cost is the 10,000 m² pre-release enclosure, which requires significant investment in fencing, modules, a pool, and monitoring systems. Additional expenses include food, veterinary care, transport, and post-release monitoring. A detailed budget is available on request.
How will funds be managed?
Funds will be managed by CIWY, a registered NGO with decades of experience in wildlife rehabilitation. All donations are restricted to the jaguar release project.
When will Yaguara be released?
The goal is a soft release in 2026, following her rehabilitation in the pre-release enclosure.
What about human-jaguar conflict?
Yaguara will be released into a large, protected reserve, far from human settlements, to reduce the risk of conflict. Rangers and local communities will also be trained in coexistence strategies.
Why support one jaguar?
Yaguara’s release will set a precedent for all future jaguars and pumas in Bolivia. By supporting her, you are helping to establish the country’s first national rewilding model.
Call to Action
There are many ways for jaguars to be taken from the wild. With your help, Yaguara can be the first to return.
Join us on the Camino del Jaguar:
- $50 = 1 Day of Construction
- $80 = 1 Meter of Perimeter Materials
- $260 = 1 Trap Camera
- $500 = Fencing for Double Door
- $1,500 = Half of the Observation Tower
Together, we can make history for Yaguara — and for her species.
Donor Thank-Yous
We want to appreciate people who support this project, so high-level donors will receive thank-you gifts, to be shipped after Yaguara’s release. Please include contact information if you donate these amounts so that we can reach out to you.
- $100 - Pack of 10 photos and Bronze donor status
- $300 - T-shirt and Bronze donor status
- $500 - Thermos and Bronze donor status
- $1,000 - Crewneck sweater and Gold donor status
- $3,000 - Cast of Yaguara’s Footprint and Gold donor status
- $5,000 - Multi-day Visit to CIWY with Crystal and Raul to learn more about CIWY (travel not included) and Platinum donor status
Bronze, Gold, and Platinum donors will have their names engraved on a plaque on the pre-release enclosure.
If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation, this is possible from the UK, USA, and Australia. Please contact @cstall_dawn on Instagram for more information.
Click here to view CIWY's website.
Click here to view a documentary by Raul about the sanctuary, including more information about the 2024 wildfire season and the arrival of Yaguara to Ambue Ari.