‘I was thrilled and shocked’: Images Raise Hopes of Return of Wild Jaguars to the US
A series of sightings suggests the big cats are, against the odds, growing in numbers in New Mexico and Arizona. But Trump’s border wall could yet halt their progress
The Return of Jaguars to the US
A young, muscular male jaguar was recently spotted in Arizona, raising hopes for the return of these endangered animals to the US. Jaguars were hunted to local extinction in the 1960s, but they have been occasionally reappearing in the Sky Islands mountain ranges in New Mexico and Arizona since the 1990s. Recent sightings in the region indicate that the population of jaguars is growing, despite numerous challenges.
The jaguars face threats such as climate extremes, habitat loss, and the impact of the border wall constructed during the Trump administration. The wall has disrupted wildlife corridors and fragmented ecosystems, making it difficult for the jaguars to roam freely across their vast territories.
Sightings in the Whetstone and Huachuca Mountains
In November 2023, the Sky Island Alliance captured an image of a large jaguar in the Whetstone mountains of southern Arizona. This sighting, along with four others recorded last year, indicates that jaguars are making a tentative return to the US. The Whetstone and Huachuca mountains are part of the Sky Islands, known for their high biodiversity. These mountains provide a suitable habitat for jaguars, with ample water sources and prey.
However, the construction of the border wall poses a significant threat to the jaguars' return. This region, which serves as a crucial corridor for jaguars moving between the US and Mexico, is home to various endangered species. The border wall restricts the animals' movement, forcing them to travel longer distances to find food, water, and suitable habitat.
The Impact of the Border Wall
The border wall, spanning nearly 226 miles along the Arizona border, has had a detrimental effect on the wildlife in the region. Larger animals like jaguars face obstacles in reaching their critical resources due to the barrier. The wall has also disrupted habitat connectivity and fragmented ecosystems, endangering not only jaguars but also other species like ocelots, Mexican grey wolves, and sonoran pronghorns.
Activists and conservationists argue that protecting the jaguars' habitat and ensuring habitat connectivity are crucial for their survival. Without these measures, the resumption of border wall construction could halt the jaguars' recovery in the US indefinitely.
