MISIONES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA – The government of Misiones Province, Argentina, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Argentina office, has launched the world's first insurance product specifically designed to protect jaguars (Panthera onca) and the rural communities coexisting with them. This launch is hailed as an innovative solution aimed at safeguarding the endangered jaguar population, preventing retaliatory killings of jaguars due to livestock and pet depredation, and fostering peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife.
A Result of Collaboration and Integration: The Birth of Jaguar Insurance
The launch event, held at the press conference room of the Misiones Provincial Government House, was attended by key stakeholders, including Facundo López Sartori, Minister of Agricultural Production; Viviana Rovira, President of the Misiones Institute of Biodiversity (IMiBio); Emanuel Grassi, General Secretary of IMiBio; and Juan Carlos Godoy, Director of Río Uruguay Seguros (RUS). Marcelo Borega, Coordinator of the Comprehensive Insurance Project, represented UNDP, adding significant weight to the initiative.
Minister of Agricultural Production, López Sartori, emphasized, "This insurance not only protects our biodiversity but also guarantees production," highlighting that the insurance product would not have been possible without the collaboration of various organizations, institutions, and companies. He added, "This insurance will ultimately contribute to the sustainable development of Misiones Province."
Marcelo Borega, UNDP Coordinator, underscored the initiative's importance, stating, "We aim to set an example in the region by providing concrete evidence that the insurance sector can address both biodiversity conservation and livelihood support." He further quoted María Eugenia Di Paola, UNDP Programme Coordinator, who said, "Today, we are launching the world's first insurance policy specifically designed to promote coexistence between one of the province's key productive sectors and its most iconic species: the jaguar."
Juan Carlos Lucio Godoy, President of Río Uruguay Seguros (RUS), stressed, "Insurance should not just be about protecting assets; it should be a tool that makes our region unique and allows us to move forward." He emphasized that this insurance would support livestock farmers while actively funding biodiversity conservation.
This innovative solution was developed through a collaboration between RUS and NGOs specializing in jaguar conservation. Its primary objective is to deter retaliatory killings of jaguars following depredation on livestock or pets, thereby preventing the species' extinction.
Why Protect Jaguars?
Jaguars are classified as a critically endangered species in Argentina, with fewer than 250 individuals remaining nationwide. Approximately 90 of these jaguars inhabit Misiones Province. Their population decline is primarily attributed to retaliatory killings that occur after they prey on livestock and pets. Despite being legally protected and designated as 'Natural Monuments,' the risk of extinction will persist if human-wildlife conflicts are not addressed concretely and locally.
As a keystone species, jaguars regulate herbivore populations, prevent erosion, and contribute to the overall biodiversity of forest ecosystems. Recent studies estimate the value of ecosystem services provided by jaguar habitats in Latin America to be up to $4 billion annually. In 2024, the Argentine National Parks Administration reaffirmed the ecological and economic value of jaguars by valuing the loss of a single jaguar at 1,727,713,638 Argentine Pesos (approximately 2.75 billion Korean Won or $2 million USD).
How Jaguar Insurance Works
The insurance policy, launched by UNDP and the Misiones Provincial Government, will initially be implemented in the municipality of Comandante Andresito, Misiones Province. The provincial government will pay the premiums, making the policy free for citizens. Furthermore, there is no deductible, and the damage assessment will be conducted by NGOs specialized in biodiversity conservation.
If a depredation incident is confirmed, the affected producer will receive prompt financial compensation. Alongside this, a technical assistance plan will be activated, including improved livestock management practices and regular visits to prevent future incidents. This initiative goes beyond mere financial compensation, focusing on reducing human-jaguar conflicts in the long term and providing practical solutions for sustainable coexistence.
This project was developed through a collaboration between UNDP's global initiatives: the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) and the Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF). It is the result of a strong partnership among international organizations (which have been present in Argentina for 40 years), local governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
Following monitoring and evaluation, the jaguar insurance program is slated for expansion to other regions of Argentina and across Latin America and the Caribbean, where human-jaguar coexistence remains a challenge. This initiative aims to demonstrate that production, conservation, and development can indeed advance together through appropriate financial tools. The pioneering efforts of Misiones Province will be closely watched as they potentially set a new global model for human-wildlife coexistence.
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