Building a Wild Legacy: The New Howard Quigley Private Natural Heritage Reserve

On June 3, 2024, Panthera and partners established the Howard Quigley Private Natural Heritage Reserve in the Brazilian Pantanal. Named after Panthera’s late Jaguar Program Director Dr. Howard Quigley, this new wildlife area will help protect the many jaguars and other threatened species that call this unique wetland habitat home. In this blog, Panthera Latin America Director Dr. Roberto Salom-Pérez talks about the importance of this new reserve and what it means for Dr. Quigley’s legacy.

In the Encontro das Águas State Park nestled within the Brazilian Pantanal, adventurers from every corner of the globe climb aboard boats, eagerly scanning the riverbanks for a glimpse of a jaguar. Within this remarkable wetland sanctuary where giant otters, anteaters, caimans, and other magnificent creatures roam freely, ecotourists journey from far and wide, seeking an immersive encounter in what is arguably the ultimate haven for witnessing jaguars in their natural habitat. Yet the allure of this pristine destination only reveals one facet of its beauty: its mere existence is a testament to years of dedicated conservation efforts from behind the scenes. 

Stretching along the perimeter of Encontro das Águas, a recently established protected zone stands as a defense for the Pantanal's extraordinary biodiversity. Nestled along the shores of the Cuiabá and Piquiri rivers, the Howard Quigley Private Natural Heritage Reserve sprawls across 643 hectares, a testament to his efforts and dedication to the conservation of big cats. Dr. Howard Quigley's enduring commitment has forged a physical legacy, ensuring the preservation of this invaluable ecosystem for generations to come.

Dr. Howard Quigley’s Enduring Legacy 

Howard Quigley, Ph.D., made it his life’s work to protect wildlife. A long, storied career led him to work in panda conservation in China, tiger conservation in East Asia and study pumas in North America. Following his tenure, he assumed the role of Panthera's Jaguar Program Director, collaborating closely with his esteemed colleague and friend, Dr. Alan Rabinowitz. Together, they spearheaded Panthera's Jaguar Corridor Initiative, a visionary project aimed at linking jaguar populations spanning from Mexico to Argentina. 

At the southern reaches of jaguar range in the Brazilian Pantanal, this enduring initiative is fully realized at Panthera’s Jofre Velho Conservation Ranch. This research base serves as a hub for scientists, fostering sustainable ecotourism initiatives and facilitating studies on the harmonious coexistence between wildlife and human communities. 

Through the Cuiabá River Complex project, Panthera: 

-Meticulously monitors wild cat populations and their prey; 

-Enhances the management of existing protected areas; 

-Advocates for ecotourism best practices; 

-Mitigates jaguar-cattle conflict; and 

-Expands protected areas to ensure the continued connectivity of natural habitats. 

Less than two years following Dr. Quigley’s passing in 2022, on June 3, 2024, Ms. Marina Silva, Minister of the Environment, and Mr. Mauro Pires, President of ICMBio, marked a significant milestone by signing ICMBIO Ordinance No. 1,694, thereby establishing the Howard Quigley Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural (RPPN). This momentous act represents a new chapter in Dr. Quigley's enduring legacy and Panthera’s ongoing conservation story.

A New Haven for Wildlife Conservation 

Directly adjacent to the tourist hub of Encontro das Águas, the new Howard Quigley RPPN has exciting potential. Last year, through partnerships with the Piuva Rosa Project, Rainforest Trust, Pew Charitable Trusts and Andes Amazon Fund, Panthera began formalizing the creation of the reserve as a continuation of all the work we have done in the Pantanal. Home to jaguars and endangered species like giant armadillo, giant otter, bush dog, giant anteater and maned wolf, the reserve presents many possibilities. 

In homage to Dr. Quigley’s work to secure the Jaguar Corridor, the Howard Quigley RPPN is the linchpin in connecting protected areas throughout a landscape where imperiled wildlife species coexist harmoniously with local human communities. Moreover, the reserve serves as a beacon of hope, offering a platform for ecotourism initiatives that stimulate economic growth by generating employment opportunities within neighboring communities. Panthera has laid the groundwork for enhancing visitor experiences by planning the construction of trails and observation towers within the reserve, further enriching the symbiotic relationship between conservation and sustainable development.

643 Hectares for Jaguar Futures 

Listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species, jaguars face many challenges including: 

-Poaching; 

-Human-cat conflict; 

-Prey loss; and 

-Habitat fragmentation across their range. 

While the Howard Quigley RPPN’s 643 hectares represent a modest fraction of the jaguar’s range, the preserve will be a significant contribution to jaguar conservation efforts. Dr. Quigley's legacy for jaguar conservation will continue to persist, giving us all the opportunity to pay homage to his work by ensuring that his profound impact resonates with future generations.