JAGUARS AND MAYAN TEMPLES IN CALAKMUL BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Located in the southern Yucatan peninsula, in the heart of the Mayan jungle, Calakmul is one of the wildest tracks of tropical forests in the region, and an essential wilderness in Mexico. It is a paradise for neotropical mammals, with almost 95 species recorded, including howler monkeys, anteaters, and five wild cats. Here, Balam (Mayan name for jaguar) roams along with ocelots, jaguarondis, margays and pumas, while the shy tapirs bathe in the hidden ponds. Scarlet-macaws and ornate hawk-eagles are two amongst the 330 species of birds that have been recorded, many of them rare migrants that depend on this wintering refuge for their survival. Amazingly, this wonderful wildlife haven was also one of the most important human settlements of the Mayan culture, and the ancient splendor of the city of Calakmul is still reflected in the colossal pyramids and in the beautifully carved stelaes, that send us an encouraging message about the strong resilience of a true wilderness.