Animal Fact Guide's Wildlife Blog » big cats

Arizona Jaguar Put to Sleep

Animal Fact Guide — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:48:32 +0000

The jaguar captured and collared in Arizona a few weeks ago, Macho B, was recaptured by wildlife officials when the big cat’s tracking device showed him to be lethargic. Tests revealed that the jaguar suffered from severe, untreatable kidney failure, a common ailment among older cats. Biologists put the jaguar to sleep the same day. Macho B was estimated to be 14-16 years old.

For more info: National Geographic.

Return of the North American Jaguar?

Animal Fact Guide — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:36:57 +0000

Although the jaguar was once commonly ranged from South America to the southern United States, hunting and habitat loss/fragmentation had crippled the population in North America. In fact, no jaguars had been spotted in Mexico since the early 1900s.

However, two independent sightings this month prove that the big cat’s range does span as far north as Arizona. The Arizona Game and Fish Department recently captured and collared a male jaguar southwest of Tucson. The collar, which can be tracked by satellite, will provide more data about the cat’s movements in the future.

Another male jaguar was captured on film by an automatic camera set up on a trail in Mexico. Scientists believe that area could be a corridor connecting jaguar populations. In this way, they have a better understanding of the areas of habitat crucial to jaguar survival.

For more information: LiveScience

Cincinnati Zoo Announces Arrival of Cheetah Cubs

Animal Fact Guide — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:37:37 +0000

The Cincinnati Zoo has announced the arrival of three male cheetah cubs. The cubs were bred at the zoo’s cheetah breeding facility, Mast Farm, in Clermont County, Ohio. Two will be transferred to the Columbus Zoo, while the other, Tommy T, will remain at the Cincinnati Zoo in the Cat Ambassador Program. You can follow Tommy T’s everyday activities in the blog, www.cheetahdays.com.

The success of the zoo’s breeding efforts is significant. Cincinnati Zoo has partnered with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in Namibia, Africa, the Columbus Zoo and the De Wildt Cheetah & Wildlife Trust in South Africa to preserve the species. The IUCN currently characterizes cheetahs in the wild as vulnerable and in decline mainly due to loss of habitat and fragmentation.