WINNER CATEGORY FRED HAZELHOFF PORTFOLIO AWARD
Fernando Constantino Martínez Belmar | Balam, the endangered king of the Mayan jungle

Name: Fernando Constantino Martínez Belmar
Picture title: Balam, the endangered king of the Mayan jungle
Category: Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award
Nationality: Mexico
Occupation: Full-time photographer

Technical information
Camera: Nikon D800, Canon t1i and  t2i
Lens: Nikon 14-24, Sigma 10-20
Accessories: DJI Mavic mini 2, camera traps

Fernando Constantino Martínez Belmar says:

Balam (jaguar in the Mayan language) is a species with a high cultural value and great ecological importance. It is considered an umbrella species and an indicator of the conservation status of ecosystems since it is at the top of the food chain and it needs large areas of land to survive. Unfortunately, in Mexico, it is listed as an endangered species. Illegal hunting, habitat fragmentation, and the destruction of natural areas have caused an increase in negative interactions with humans. As their habitat is reduced and the populations of their potential prey decrease, they are forced to approach human settlements to feed on cattle and other domestic animals which most of the time does not end well for jaguars. Despite all of the above, some people are dedicated to the study and conservation of these cats, which allows developing strategies to preserve the natural areas where they live and mitigate the negative impact of human actions. The images were taken in the Yucatan peninsula (Yucatan, Quintana Roo, and Campeche). Using camera traps I was able to photograph jaguars not only in their natural habitat but also in human settlements and urban environments which allowed me to show the interaction between humans and this majestic cat. I hope I can show with this story a bit of the reality that jaguars face and I hope I can raise awareness and inspire more people to take action so we can ensure the survival of the king of the Mayan jungle.