Jaguar Attack in Puerto Aventuras Spurs Wildlife Awareness Campaign

A rare jaguar attack in Puerto Aventuras has residents worried about the safety of pets and children in this quiet seaside village.

On Saturday, May 11 two dogs were reportedly killed by a jaguar or another large predatory mammal inside the the gated community. The attack occurred sometime after midnight. One dog was fatally injured. The body of the second dog has not been recovered. The remaining dog was brought for medical attention. The vet confirmed that the injuries sustained were consistent with those of a large jungle cat.

This is not the first time a jaguar has been reported inside the walls of this exclusive residential enclave. In March, a jaguar was caught on video running down Bahia Chemuyil on the north side of the complex.

One resident who has installed motion detector cameras on a vacant lot has captured a mature jaguar presumably living in the undeveloped jungle area. Another resident caught a jaguar on his home security system.

There has been a public outcry for the Puerto Aventuras Homeowners Association to take action and have the cat located and removed from the community. A representative from COLONOS responded urging residents to take the appropriate precautions with their household pets and children.

Additionally, a wildlife awareness campaign will be initiated with the help of MVZ Mario Buil, a veterinarian who also leads the Jaguar protection program in this region. A representative from the Solidaridad municipal government was also called to help educate neighbors about the presence of indigenous wildlife like jaguars, ocelots, jaguarundi and even coatimundi and mapaches and the dangers they pose to domestic animals left unattended.

Over the years, there have been many reports of missing pets in Puerto Aventuras. It is believed that many have become victims of predatory animals in the neighboring jungle areas.

Buil stressed that it is the responsibility of pet owners to keep their animals safe and under control so that there will not be a repeat of this sad event.