A study published in the journal Global Ecology indicates that an unusual factor, namely prey availability, could lead to the extinction of the jaguar (Panthera onca) in the Atlantic Forest. Even in protected areas, the number of animals that make up the jaguar's diet, such as peccaries, capybaras, and deer, is alarmingly low. This decline is primarily driven by human activities like deforestation and illegal hunting, which drastically reduce the food base essential for the species' survival. Currently, fewer than 300 jaguars remain in the Atlantic Forest. The study warns that if the situation worsens, this biome could become the first in the world to lose a top predator due to a lack of prey. With such low populations, the ecological balance is at risk, impacting not only the jaguars but also the overall biodiversity that relies on these apex predators for population control and environmental health. To investigate the issue, researchers combined data about the jaguar's diet with a survey conducted using camera traps in nine protected areas, analyzing the abundance and biomass of 14 prey species. The results revealed significant differences in prey availability across regions, underscoring the urgent need for conservation measures and actions to protect both jaguars and their food sources, highlighting the interdependence of species within these ecosystems.