Applying behavior change and community-based approaches to address the corruption linked to illegal hunting and trade of jaguars in Guatemala

Between 2021 and 2023, WWF Guatemala implemented a pilot project in the Maya Biosphere Reserve to combat the illegal hunting and trade of jaguars. Using a political economy analysis (PEA) and participatory research, the project identified corruption risks and threats, such as the presence of mafias baiting jaguars to justify killing them. To mitigate these risks without alienating government collaborators, the project avoided direct mentions of 'corruption' during implementation, focusing instead on 'opportunities for change' like ranger rotation and improved control posts. Practical interventions included installing electric fences for ranchers and launching radio campaigns to reduce human-jaguar conflict. The project highlighted the critical need for reliable data on wildlife seizures and conflict, as 'Corruption and criminality also thrive in information-poor environments.'

• The Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR) faces significant threats in its buffer zone, where extensive cattle ranching contributes to deforestation, poaching, and human-jaguar conflict, often driven by organized crime.
• WWF Guatemala utilized a political economy analysis (PEA) incorporating supply chain mapping, criminology, and corruption risk assessment to identify the drivers of illegal jaguar trade and the power dynamics among actors.
• Research identified specific criminal threats, including the presence of mafias that illegally hunt jaguar prey and intentionally bait jaguars to attack livestock to create a pretext for killing and selling the animals.
• To maintain collaboration with government officials and local organizations in a sensitive environment, the project intentionally avoided using the word 'corruption' during its participatory activities, focusing instead on finding solutions.
• The project identified several 'opportunities for change' to reduce corruption risks, including rotating rangers to prevent collusion, improving control posts for better oversight, and providing integrity and ethics training for authorities.
• Behavior change interventions were implemented to reduce human-jaguar conflict, including the installation of electric fences for ranchers and the broadcast of informative radio segments to correct knowledge gaps.
• A critical lack of reliable scientific data on hunting licenses, jaguar sightings, and seizures in the MBR was found to hinder informed decision-making and create environments where corruption and criminality can thrive.
• The use of female researchers during the PEA was found to be a unique factor in building trust with both women and men in the studied communities.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). Applying behavior change and community-based approaches to address the corruption linked to illegal hunting and trade of jaguars in Guatemala. https://www.worldwildlife.org/our-work/funds/usaid/tnrc/knowledge-hub/pilot-projects/applying-behavior-change-and-community-based-approaches-to-address-the-corruption-linked-to-illegal-hunting-and-trade-of-jaguars-in-guatemala/

Chicago

WWF International. Applying behavior change and community-based approaches to address the corruption linked to illegal hunting and trade of jaguars in Guatemala. n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/our-work/funds/usaid/tnrc/knowledge-hub/pilot-projects/applying-behavior-change-and-community-based-approaches-to-address-the-corruption-linked-to-illegal-hunting-and-trade-of-jaguars-in-guatemala/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Applying behavior change and community-based approaches to address the corruption linked to illegal hunting and trade of jaguars in Guatemala |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/our-work/funds/usaid/tnrc/knowledge-hub/pilot-projects/applying-behavior-change-and-community-based-approaches-to-address-the-corruption-linked-to-illegal-hunting-and-trade-of-jaguars-in-guatemala/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndapplying, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Applying behavior change and community-based approaches to address the corruption linked to illegal hunting and trade of jaguars in Guatemala}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/our-work/funds/usaid/tnrc/knowledge-hub/pilot-projects/applying-behavior-change-and-community-based-approaches-to-address-the-corruption-linked-to-illegal-hunting-and-trade-of-jaguars-in-guatemala/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }