Of the estimated 15,000 jaguars remaining in the wild, the Aros-Yaqui population found in the northern Mexican state of Sonora numbers less than 100, yet represents the largest breeding jaguar population found in this part of their range. From this source population, jaguars have gradually started to disperse and migrate north into their former range, making rare appearances in Arizona and New Mexico The Philadelphia Zoo has joined the collective efforts of Naturalia, A.C., the Northern Jaguar Project and the Wildlands Project to protect the Aros-Yaqui jaguar population and its habitat by means of several on-the-ground activities including field research, expansion of a private jaguar reserve, local education activities, and development of land management alternatives for local ranchers. The Mexico Jaguar Project will also identify and seek to protect linkages and key habitat utilized by jaguars from this population attempting to make their way to suitable habitat in the southwestern U.S.
The Human Connection
Despite their reclusive nature, jaguars have been labeled as a "nuisance species" by many Mexican ranchers. They are frequently blamed for the deaths of livestock and shot on sight in an effort to preempt an anticipated attack. A "Jaguar Guardian" program developed by Naturalia, A.C. and the Northern Jaguar Project and supported by the Philadelphia Zoo was created to address the conflicts between ranchers and jaguars. The guardians' primary role is to build positive relationships with ranchers, landowners and the local community in an effort to gain support for conservation initiatives and dispel the misconceptions that lead to the illegal killing of jaguars. Guardians also involve ranchers and landowners in research activities.
Key Issues
The jaguar, one of two big cat species in North America, is endangered throughout its entire range. Habitat loss continues to top the list of issues facing most endangered species and the jaguar is no exception. Beyond the boundaries of sanctuaries, jaguars must navigate dangerous territory in their quest for food, water and mates. Second only to habitat loss, hunting by ranchers protecting their livestock is the leading cause of jaguar mortality in Mexico. Regrettably those few animals that do make it as far as the U.S.-Mexico border are not out of the woods; they must still contend with the development of border infrastructure such as roadways and brightly lit fence lines. Though not designed to be wildlife deterrents...these barriers, if erected, will be just that... diverting weary jaguars back to the land from whence they came.
The Philadelphia Zoo Role
A refuge was created in 2003, when Naturalia, A.C. purchased Los Pavos ranch, a 10,000 acre property comprising core jaguar habitat. On July 4, 2007 the purchase of nearby Rancho Zetasora resulted in the protection of close to 50,000 acres of critical jaguar habitat in northern Mexico. "Acres for Jaguars," based in the Philadelphia Zoo’s cat exhibit, Bank of America Big Cat Falls, is an initiative created to raise awareness of the habitat loss issues facing jaguars and to provide an opportunity for people to contribute to the purchase of habitat needed for their survival. In addition to being a haven for jaguars, Los Pavos is also used as a research site. "Camera-traps" positioned throughout the ranch capture jaguars on film and the pictures are then used to document regional jaguar abundance and land use patterns. Data gained from these Philadelphia Zoo-funded studies will be vital to learning more about jaguar habitat needs and will help to identify important travel routes for jaguars returning to the U.S. The Zoo has also co-funded two "Border Ecological Symposiums" which were held in March 2005 and October 2006 to discuss cross-border wildlife movement and the ecological health of the U.S.-Mexico border
Moving Forward
More than twenty U.S. jaguar sightings have been documented in the past year by camera-traps in southern Arizona - evidence that they are making a heroic attempt to re-colonize their historic range. The Philadelphia Zoo will continue to support these cats' efforts by providing funds, along with scientific and education expertise, to Mexico Jaguar Project partners. We also actively support efforts to ensure that ecological concerns become an integral part of the border security discussions and that wildlife corridors allow continued movement across the U.S.-Mexico border. Bank of America Big Cat Falls features the Mexico Jaguar Project and provides opportunities to learn more and to help protect jaguars as they journey north towards the U.S.
Things You Can Do