Community-led monitoring of threatened species in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Since 1996, Grupo Jaragua has been conducting wildlife monitoring studies, first in Jaragua National Park (Dominican Republic), and later expanding to the Jaragua-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve (which includes Jaragua NP). The Reserve is a refuge of many threatened species included in the IUCN Red List and now the Dominican Republic´s Red List, many suffering important threats. However, basic biological information on distribution range, threats, seasonality of reproduction and reproductive success were lacking for adequate management. Most of the species were sporadically monitored or on the short term by authorities or foreign researchers / projects. Lack of systematization or consistency in studies. Little local capacity building.