Current:Home > ContactEndangered jaguar previously unknown to U.S. is caught on camera in Arizona -GrowthSphere Strategies
Endangered jaguar previously unknown to U.S. is caught on camera in Arizona
View
Date:2025-04-16 04:11:49
There's been another jaguar sighting in southern Arizona and it's the eighth different jaguar documented in the southwestern U.S. since 1996, according to wildlife officials.
Jason Miller, a hobbyist wildlife videographer who posts trail camera footage online, captured the image of a roaming jaguar late last month in the Huachuca Mountains near Tucson, CBS affiliate KPHO-TV reported.
A spokesman for the Arizona Game and Fish Department said the agency has authenticated Miller's footage and has confirmed this is a new jaguar to the United States.
New jaguar spotted in southern Arizona not previously identified in the state: https://t.co/qWJT97rgy9 pic.twitter.com/agwiAxJb7v
— azfamily 3TV CBS 5 (@azfamily) January 7, 2024
The animals were placed on the endangered species list in 1997 after being removed in 1980.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated about 750,000 acres of critical protected habitat for the jaguars along the border in southern Arizona and New Mexico.
Authorities said Arizona jaguars are part of the species' northern population, including Sonora, Mexico's breeding population.
"I'm certain this is a new jaguar, previously unknown to the United States," said Russ McSpadden, a southwest conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. "After being nearly wiped out, these majestic felines continue to reestablish previously occupied territory despite border wall construction, new mines, and other threats to their habitat."
Officials said the rosette pattern on each jaguar is unique - just like a human fingerprint - and helps identify specific animals.
The new video shows that the cat is not Sombra or El Jefe, two jaguars known to have roamed Arizona in recent years. Last year, officials said El Jefe -- or "The Boss" -- managed to cross the heavily guarded U.S.-Mexico border.
The gender of the newly spotted jaguar is unclear.
"Whether male or female, this new jaguar is going to need a mate. Now is the time for us to have a serious conversation and take action to bring jaguars back," Megan Southern, jaguar recovery coordinator with The Rewilding Institute, told Phoenix TV station KPNX.
Jaguars are the only big cat found in the Americas and third-largest cat in the world after tigers and lions, according to National Geographic. KPHO-TV reports they've been seen on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, in the mountains of southern California, and even in Louisiana.
- In:
- Endangered Species
- Arizona
veryGood! (8427)
Related
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Animal cruelty charges spur calls for official’s resignation in Pennsylvania county
- Washington’s Kalen DeBoer is the AP coach of the year after leading undefeated Huskies to the CFP
- Former Pennsylvania death row inmate freed after prosecutors drop charges before start of retrial
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Want to buy an EV? Now is a good time. You can still get the full tax credit and selection
- Defense secretary to hold meeting on reckless, dangerous attacks by Houthis on commercial ships in Red Sea
- Why Kelly Osbourne Says She Wants Plastic Surgery for Christmas
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: 16 players to start or sit in Week 16
Ranking
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- South Carolina couple is charged with murder in the 2015 killings of four of their family members
- Egypt election results: No surprises as El-Sisi wins 3rd term with Israel-Hamas war raging on border
- Tesla’s recall of 2 million vehicles to fix its Autopilot system uses technology that may not work
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Céline Dion lost control over her muscles amid stiff-person syndrome, her sister says
- Jennifer Love Hewitt hits back at claims she's 'unrecognizable': 'Aging in Hollywood is really hard'
- France’s government and conservative lawmakers find a compromise on immigration bill
Recommendation
Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
170 nursing home residents displaced after largest facility in St. Louis closes suddenly
Cause remains unclear for Arizona house fire that left 5 people dead including 3 young children
A look at recent deadly earthquakes in China
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
Backup QBs are on display all around the NFL as injury-depleted teams push toward the postseason
Philly’s progressive prosecutor, facing impeachment trial, has authority on transit crimes diverted
Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney lovingly spoof Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' single cover