Watch: New Species of Wild Jaguar in Arizona, All the Details
jaguar via unsplash
A trail camera set up deep in the Huachuca Mountains near Tucson, Arizona, captured footage of a new, rare species of wild jaguar. This beast, seen on December 20, 2023, has captivated environmentalists and scientists.
Since 1829, the Jaguar Sightings Database has recorded all new US jaguar sightings. Jaguars, a “near threatened” species per the International Union for Conservation of Nature, may benefit from this discovery.
El Jefe, Sombra, and Yo'oko are three wild jaguars seen in Arizona over the previous 20 years. Yo'oko may have been killed. The Arizona Game and Fish Department confirmed the current discovery is a different jaguar based on its spots and markings.
Strong and majestic cats, jaguars are found mostly in the Northern regions of South America and in Central America. They typically inhabit swamps, dry deciduous forests, and scrub grasslands.
As with most species, the population numbers of jaguars in the wild have been declining due to increased urban development, which has destroyed their habitats, and poaching.
A generous estimate for the number of individual jaguars alive is 173,000 individuals, with that number being less than half the population 100 years ago. The actual number is unknown, due to the density of the environments they inhabit.
New jaguar species should boost jaguar conservation efforts and funding. Current conservation efforts include protecting and restoring jaguar habitats, creating more wildlife corridors, and addressing the illegal trade of jaguar coats and body parts.
The best way you can help the conservation efforts is to spread awareness. You can do this by sharing the stories to social media or with your friends and family members.