A great day if you are a fan of the outdoors and all the interesting things it holds. A rare jaguar was caught on camera in the remote southern mountains of Arizona. It is the only jaguar known to exist in the U.S.
Federal officials are still reviewing 1300 square miles in Arizona and New Mexico as critical jaguar habitat. Those watching have to wonder how this will play out for the proposed Rosemont mine site, which is near this jaguar sighting.
It’s sad to see the Arizona Department of Fish and Game oppose such a designation. I have found that state wildlife operations are largely corrupt and influenced by local industry and politics. National forests and national parks were created to remedy just such entrenchment. And thus the need for federal protection for many species.
Either way, a ghost has returned to its former home. And once more, we are lucky to witness what we’ve known, aligning with what should be.
Photo from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
What a beautiful page! I’ve read somewhere in the past about the US jaguars. How extremely sad that some industry would come in a mess things up for that cat. However….If he’s/she’s completely alone, I’m not sure what would happen anyway? and I don’t mean that as an excuse, just wondering how the one of a species will survive…unless they find another in Mexico and bring it up to exist with this one? Thanks for suggesting this on the NWP page…I look forward to reading your stories!
Alisa B.
Hi Alisa,
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
There was another jaguar in the area known as ‘Macho B”, who was killed by goofs working for Arizona fFsh and Game:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/20121215macho-b-death-jaguar-mystery.html
So there is potential for a breeding population, and maybe even a re-introduction as long as we don’t get in the way.