Rare Jaguar Observed at Arizona Water Source

Experts from CBS and AP sources have confirmed a unique jaguar sighting in southern Arizona, identified by its distinct rosette patterns akin to human fingerprints.

According to the University of Arizona's Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center, this marks the fifth such large feline spotted over the past decade and a half in the vicinity. The big cat was captured by a camera setup at a nearby watering area, offering clear evidence of its distinct markings amid other sightings.

"We're thrilled by this discovery, as it indicates that these jaguars continue to visit because the environment meets their needs," expressed Susan Malusa, head of the center's jaguar and ocelot program, during an interview on Thursday.

Research efforts are underway to gather fecal samples for DNA testing, to identify the sex of the jaguar and gain insights into its diet, which may include creatures such as skunks, peccaries, and small deer.

Malusa highlighted that jaguars serve as an indicator species. Their ongoing presence suggests a robust ecosystem, though threats like climate change and boundary barriers could impede their migration paths. The urgency is growing to maintain connections to their historical habitats in Arizona as the climate gets warmer and droughts lengthen.

Predominantly, jaguars are found throughout Central and South America, with occasional males crossing into the U.S. from core groups in Mexico, as noted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It’s been over a century since jaguars are known to have bred within U.S. borders.

Primary risks to this endangered species include habitat degradation and fragmentation, along with poaching for trophies and illegal sales.

In 2024, the Fish and Wildlife Service modified the designated protection area for jaguars due to a legal challenge, reducing it to roughly 1,000 square miles across Arizona's Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise counties.

Data bolsters previous findings that jaguars tend to reappear every few years, as per Malusa, typically linked to water availability. When resources are not scarce, the big cats tend to wander less.

Regarding the latest sighting, Jaguar #5 notably returned multiple times over ten days, which is unusual given their typical reclusive nature, Malusa noted.

"This sighting indicates progress in their recovery," Malusa noted. "It's crucial to share that we can still ensure these corridors stay open."

Previously, an amateur wildlife videographer captured footage of a jaguar in the Huachuca Mountains, south of Tucson, which was verified by the Arizona Game and Fish Department as a new U.S. sighting.

The footage showed a jaguar different from the known Sombra or El Jefe individuals, the latter has been noted for its movement across highly monitored border regions with Mexico.

Globally, jaguars hold their place as the sole large cats native to the Americas and rank third in size following tigers and lions.