A new jaguar spotted in Arizona points to progress in the endangered species’ recovery

The spots gave it away Just like a human fingerprint the rosette pattern on each jaguar is unique so researchers knew they had a new animal on their hands after reviewing images captured by a remote camera in southern Arizona The University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center says it s the fifth big cat over the last years to be spotted in the area after bridging the U S -Mexico territory line The animal was captured by the camera as it visited a watering hole in November its distinctive spots setting it apart from previous sightings We re very excited It signifies this edge population of jaguars continues to come here because they re finding what they need Susan Malusa director of the center s jaguar and ocelot project noted during an interview Thursday The band is now working to collect scat samples to conduct genetic analysis and determine the sex and other details about the new jaguar including what it likes to eat The menu can include everything from skunks and javelina to small deer As an indicator species Malusa disclosed the continued presence of big cats in the region suggests a healthy landscape but that weather change and boundary fences can threaten migratory corridors She explained that warming temperatures and vital drought increase the urgency to ensure connectivity for jaguars with their historic range in Arizona More than of the jaguar s range is exposed in Central and South America and the meager male jaguars that have been spotted in the U S are considered to have dispersed from core populations in Mexico according to the U S Fish and Wildlife Operation Authorities have stated that jaguar breeding in the U S has not been documented in more than years Federal biologists have listed primary threats to the endangered species as habitat loss and fragmentation along with the animals being targeted for trophies and illegal deal The Fish and Wildlife Function issued a final rule in revising the habitat set aside for jaguars in response to a legal challenge The area was reduced to about square miles square kilometers in Arizona s Pima Santa Cruz and Cochise counties Latest detection evidence supports findings that a jaguar appears every scarce years Malusa announced with movement often tied to the availability of water When food and water are plentiful there s less movement In the circumstance of Jaguar she commented it was remarkable that the cat kept returning to the area over a -day period Otherwise she described the animals as quite elusive That s the message that this species is recovering Malusa revealed We want people to know that and that we still do have a chance to get it right and keep these corridors open Source