Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In collaboration with Panthera México and several local organizations the Vallarta Botanical Garden is a regional focal point for Mexico's first-ever countrywide celebration of Mes del Jaguar.

On November 1, Garden staff and volunteers installed a visual exhibit on jaguars with stunning images and interpretive texts to learn from and inspire us to conserve the forests that these magnificent beasts depend upon.

Photos and narrative explain jaguar's spectacular strength agility and remarkable abilities in hunting, climbing, swimming and more - but also how threatened their forests and habitat corridors have become in recent years. The exhibition also illuminates the cultural importance of jaguars here in Mexico and especially the reverence that many indigenous peoples reserve for them.

The exhibition's inaugural celebration is scheduled for Saturday, November 3 with fun-filled and informative activities for families, friends & individuals. This is an especially great time to meet and interact with artists and biologists involved in jaguar research, conservation, and awareness.

The educational talk starting at 1:00 pm will include information about the Garden's recently launched Jaguar Monitoring Program in collaboration with Panthera México, Alianza Jaguar / Proyecto Jaguar, and Viva Natura.

The Garden thanks these organizations and their hardworking staff and volunteers for their help in making this month-long celebration possible. A special thank-you also goes out from the Garden to the Oficina de Proyectos Culturales, contributing artists (Brewster Brockmann and Ernesto Paulsen), and to the sponsors of our jaguar monitoring and jaguar exhibition.

EXHIBITION: JAGUARS - From Ancient Myth to Current Conservation Imperative

When: November 1-30, 9 am to 5 pm except Mondays when the Garden is closed. (Please note, the Garden resumes 7 day per week operation on December 1st.)

Where: Vallarta Botanical Garden

Cost: Included with with standard Garden entry of 200 pesos per person (children ages 4 and under free when accompanied by their parents/guardians)

INAUGURATION: Jaguar Month at the Vallarta Botanical Garden

When: Saturday, November 3, beginning at 11:00 am

Inauguration Day Activities:
11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Children's Face Painting (Jaguar style, of course!)
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Children's Art Workshop
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Educational Talk about Jaguars

Where: Vallarta Botanical Garden

Cost: Included with with standard Garden entry of 200 pesos per person (children ages 4 and under free when accompanied by their parents/guardians)

The Vallarta Botanical Garden is actively recruiting volunteers to help with jaguar monitoring and other exciting projects. Those interested in learning more should write to escolar(at)vbgardens.org, with the word "voluntario" in the subject line.

As far as our Jaguar Monitoring Program eventually capturing images of our primary feline target, Diana Friedeberg of Panthera México and Dr. Rodrigo Nuñez of Proyecto Jaguar / Alianza Jaguar told us to take heart - monitoring these elusive animals is a longterm endeavor... "Solo porque no hayas visto al jaguar no significa que el jaguar no ha visto." (Just because you haven't seen the jaguar doesn't mean the jaguar hasn't seen you!)

Visit the internationally famous Vallarta Botanical Garden located just 30 minutes south of Old Town at Km. 24 on Highway 200 and easily accessible by public transportation and taxi. This 64 acre wildlife preserve and botanical garden have something fun for everyone. See plantings of vanilla, chocolate, and hundreds of other botanical delights, and don't forget to bring your swimsuit for a refreshing dip in the jungle river. The Garden is open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (closed Mondays from April 1 to December 1). Garden admission is just $200 pesos. Authentic Mexican Cuisine is served in the Hacienda de Oro Restaurant from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, call (322) 223-6182 or visit vbgardens.org.

Click HERE to learn more about Vallarta Botanical Gardens.