This Sunday (25), the Bosque da Ciência area of ​​the National Institute of Amazonian Research (Inpa/MCTI) will be the scene of the Cougar Week dedicated to this species of jaguar. puma coloran endangered cat in Brazil. Aiming to bring together experts, young researchers and visitors of all ages, the completely free event will include “I Travessia da Suçuarana”, as well as educational activities for children that address the characteristics and environmental and social importance that cats play.

The cougar, also known as the puma, is celebrated around the world on August 30, as a way to spread and raise public awareness about the conservation of this species and the natural environments in which it lives. In Brazil, this date inspired the creation of Cougar Week by the Cerrado Mammal Conservation Program (PCMC) of the Federal University of Catalão (UFCAT).

This year, Bosque da Ciência joins the national event by carrying out activities with the School Science Project (PCE) team in partnership with the Laboratory of Animal and Forest Interactions (LaIFF) and the Observatory of Jaguar Sightings and Attacks Project (OIAAONCHA), both from the Federal University of Amazonas (Ufam), and supported by AteliRê, an art studio for children and youth.

The program includes “I Travessia da Suçuarana”, where visitors will have the opportunity to take a special walk through the Bosque da Ciência, passing through interpretive paths, guided by monitors who will tell participants about the characteristics and curiosities of the cougars with creative methodologies. The crossing will begin with a stretch and end with the presentation of medals.

The aim of this action is to promote contact with the Suçuarana through physical activities in natural areas, as is done in other parks such as Serra de Caldas Novas State Park and Águas do Paraíso State Park. The idea of ​​the national campaign is to involve all the Brazilian states where the Suçuarana live, which total more than 16 thousand kilometers.

In addition to the crossing, Bosque and its partners will offer educational activities for children, such as a creative drawing workshop and the educational game “Suçuarana Bingo,” which will bring aspects of the puma’s natural history, while highlighting its ecological importance for forest conservation.

About Kogarana

Also known as the brown jaguar, this species puma color It is the second largest feline in the Americas and one of the apex predators with the widest geographic distribution in the Americas, extending from Canada to the southern tip of the Andes.

In Brazil it is considered an endangered species in the wild. The main threats are retaliatory hunting due to conflicts with humans, when the animal is killed for allegedly killing pets or livestock – and habitat loss.

Puma conservation still suffers from serious gaps in information about this species, especially regarding ecological aspects, population movement and distribution. A large part of society is unaware of the existence of the cat and its presence in Brazil and the Americas, as well as the jaguar (Onca the tiger).

In Manaus, pumas can be seen up close at the Zoo CIGS, São Jorge neighborhood. In the space, a male Tuba and two females, Aira and Kiara, live.

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It happened: Cougar Week in the Science Forest

location: Inba Forest of Science

address: Rua Bem-te-vi, s/n°, Petrópolis neighborhood, South area of ​​Manaus

date: 08/25/2024 (Sunday)

hours:

09h – 12h: Environmental Education Activities Tent for Kids

3pm – 4:30pm: Walking with physical activity

Schedule visits: https://bosquedacienciaam.wixsite.com/agendamento

Admission is free, just make an appointment.