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Take Action

Buy A Ranch

Not interested in owning property? Don't worry; we're not really going to give it to you. More >

Be a Jaguar Guardian

Providing safe passage for jaguars back into the U.S. is as easy as resolving human-wildlife conflict. Hmm... More >

Picture This

Capturing wildlife, on film that is, can influence the extent to which a species is protected. More >

Stateside jaguar habitat issues, particularly those occurring along the U.S.-Mexico border, are being addressed by the Wildlands Project. The fundamental challenge here is maintaining the ecological health of a border that remains permeable to wildlife, while meeting the security needs of two countries. The first of two "Border Ecological Symposiums", co-funded by the Philadelphia Zoo and Defenders of Wildlife and organized by the Wildlands Project, was held in March 2005 to discuss cross-border wildlife movement. Symposium proceedings provide guidelines on incorporating wildlife corridor protection into border security construction projects along the U.S.-Mexico border in southern Arizona. In conjunction with this outcome, an awareness raising campaign is planned to help ensure that ecological concerns become an integral part of the border security discussion. But before they ever reach the border, jaguars must face a more immediate threat in Mexico, intolerance and persecution by humans.

Despite their reclusive nature, jaguars have been labeled as a "nuisance species" by many ranchers. They are frequently blamed for the deaths of livestock and shot on sight in an effort to preempt an anticipated attack. In partnership with Naturalia, A.C., NJP has implemented a "Jaguar Guardian" program based out of Los Pavos Ranch and funded in part by the Philadelphia Zoo, to address the conflicts between ranchers and jaguars. The guardians' primary role is to build positive relationships with ranchers, landowners and the local community in an effort to gain support for conservation initiatives and dispel the misconceptions that lead to the illegal killing of jaguars. Guardians also involve ranchers and landowners in Los Pavos research activities.

More than twenty U.S. jaguar sightings have been documented in the past year by camera-traps in southern Arizona - evidence that they are making a heroic attempt to re-colonize their historic range. The Philadelphia Zoo supports these cats' efforts by providing funds, along with scientific and education expertise, to Mexico Jaguar Project partners. Bank of America Big Cat Falls, scheduled to open in May 2006, will feature the Mexico Jaguar Project and provide opportunities for you to learn more and to help protect jaguars as they journey north towards the U.S. Coming home is the hardest thing they'll ever do.

Go to Take Action for more on ways you can help to save jaguars.

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