Pecoso: A Living Legacy of the Talamanca Jaguar

Deep in the heart of Costa Rica’s Talamanca mountains, a legend continues to walk the ridgelines.

Captured once again by our camera traps, Pecoso — the dominant male jaguar of these valleys — makes another powerful appearance in the latest footage from the Wild Cat Imaging Project. First documented in 2016, Pecoso has become an enduring symbol of strength, adaptability, and the resilience of big cats in fragmented landscapes.

This new video reveals a jaguar in peak form — muscular, confident, and unmistakably aware of his surroundings. Named for the unique spot patterns that mark his coat like freckles, Pecoso has been a key figure in our long-term monitoring efforts, helping us understand jaguar behavior, territory use, and survival in the highland forests.

Every new sighting is a testament not only to his continued dominance, but also to the critical importance of protected corridors and consistent monitoring. As forest pressures increase, documenting individuals like Pecoso helps underscore the urgent need for conservation at scale — across borders, habitats, and communities.

Stay with us as we follow Pecoso's story and the wild lives he shares his territory with.