The day was extremely dry during the month of May. With the heat raging mercilessly, the first rains were yet to arrive. We were going out to monitor birds at La Papalota, within Marismas Nacionales, Nayarit. With us were technicians who would record shorebirds and seabirds that inhabit this majestic coastal ecosystem.

As if it were a welcome greeting, at the very entrance of the mangrove forest, a herd of 30 coatis frolicked among the branches. Pleasantly surprised, the technicians did not hesitate for a second and searched the restlessly jumping animals.

With luck on our side, we decided to carefully analyze the tracks of the specimens with the intention to record the type of mark they left in the dry soils typical of the season. All went well, most of the tracks matched the species, except for one.

About the size of the fist in my hand, its shape was clearly not that of a coati. Immediately the speculation began: what species did they belong to? All bets were on the jaguar, a common feline in these coastal forests. If so, the ideal was to set up camera traps that would allow us to corroborate the presence of the species. 

All plans were abruptly interrupted. Rustling of branches. Something moved through the vegetation, barely 50 meters from the group. Silence. In seconds, emotions exploded. 

It was a jaguar!

With all his imposing presence, he turned around and saw us. 

Obviously, the screams of excitement frightened the big cat, which ended up retreating quickly and disappearing without a trace. We tried to follow him, but it was impossible to keep up. 

As a record of the encounter, an image of the footprint next to my Pronatura Noroeste cap remains.

I had never seen a jaguar at La Papalota. 

It was my first time.

Author: Mauricio Cortes, Regional Coordinator in Nayarit, Jalisco and Colima of Pronatura Noroeste.