Jaguars, King of the Jungle?
by Spencer Stewart
An incredible, powerful species. There is nothing like watching a jaguar stalk and kill its prey. Jaguars encapsulate the raw power of nature and are fascinating to observe.
Jaguars are a listed species in the United States and Mexico due to incredibly low populations. Jaguars are currently listed under the Endangered Species Act. They used to be found in 21 countries in North America, however are now only found in 19.
The average lifespan of jaguars in the wild is 10-15 years. Males
mature into adults around age 3 or 4. Females mature into adults around age 2
or 3. Jaguars are carnivores, and nearly always stalk their prey before going
for the kill. They are known to eat over 85 different organisms, however
jaguars in the U.S. and Mexico commonly feed on deer. They have very large home
ranges, and will roam several kilometers every day. Preferred habitat in
America includes vegetation, canyons, and very little human activity. Jaguars
used to range across parts of California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico;
however, their range is now limited to parts of New Mexico and Arizona. There
have only been 5 jaguar sightings in the U.S. since 1996. Jaguars range into
the U.S. from Mexico and then make their way back down.
Map of Jaguar Habitat In Southwestern U.S.
There
are several reasons that jaguars are a listed species. Jaguars need a large
habitat to roam but human activity is shrinking their habitat area.
Deforestation caused the loss of 60% of forests inhabited by jaguars in
northern Mexico. Human killing of jaguars is also a leading cause of population
decline. Jaguars occasionally kill cattle and thus are killed by farmers as a
result. Poachers desire pelts and teeth of jaguars. Hunters also kill the prey
of jaguars. Deer and peccary populations are hunted to lower levels so it is
harder for jaguars to find prey.
Stuffed jaguar by poacher
Due
to these negative effects, jaguars need help for a sustained existence. The
United States has partnered with Mexico to conserve jaguars. Schools in Arizona
and New Mexico have added information about jaguars to their curriculum in
order to raise conservation awareness about jaguars. States have also increased
their penalties for the killing of jaguars. Arizona and New Mexico also hold
public meetings for anyone with jaguar-related problems.
These
small steps are good first steps, but more needs to be done to ensure the
sustained health of jaguar populations. The recovery plan includes all of the
specific actions that will ensure the safety of jaguar populations. Some key
objectives include protecting enough habitat for jaguars to survive, reducing
human influence on jaguar habitat, eliminating human killing of jaguars, and
partnering with other countries to ensure jaguar survival. If all these
objectives are met, then jaguar populations will start to grow in the southwest
United States. If the recovery plan does not work, jaguars will likely become
extinct in America because there are so few right now.
As an American, you can help save the jaguars!
In rural areas, spreading the word on what jaguars mean to you can reduce the
animosity that farmers have towards animals who prey on their livestock. The
defenders of Fish and Wildlife have been working to help create jaguar
preserves. You can read about how they are helping here. The Wildlife Conservation Society has been striving to protect jaguars for over thirty
years. Even though they work with jaguars all around the world, it is easy
to apply their conservation values here at home. If everyone does their part,
jaguars will soon have a safe home to live in!
Works Cited
"Jaguars." WCS.org. Wildlife Conservation
Society, n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2015.
"Protecting Critical Habitat for Jaguars." Defenders
of Wildlife. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2015.
"Recovery Outline Strategy." Recovery Outline
for the Jaguar (n.d.): n. pag. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. 20
Apr. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2015.
Picture URL
Map of Jaguar Habitat: https://jaguarhabitatusa.wordpress.com/maps/
Poached Jaguar: http://www.blog.redhawkadventures.com/category/awareness/page/3/
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