A necropsy performed by the Phoenix Zoo shows an old jaguar (15-16 years old) suffering from some pathologies, but in basically good shape. Although officials claimed that Macho B was euthanized because of "irreversible kidney failure" after being captured, sedated and collared by Arizona Game and Fish officials, the necropsy concluded his kidneys were "pale and firm". A tissue sample analyzed by the University of Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Lab showed no sign of kidney disease but possible dehydration (a common symptom of stressed out felines) and pre-renal azotemia caused by inadequate flow of blood through the kidneys. The lab also found some dead and dying muscle cells in the ventricle of the heart "possibly due to stress". Macho B was euthanized by Arizona State biologists late last month. Despite the claim that trapping one of the last wild jaguars in America was inadvertent, the Arizona Daily Star says the snare was baited with female jaguar scat provided by a consulting biologist. Federal officials are investigating because the jaguar is an endangered species protected by human harassment and interference. There is no recovery program for the cat because the animals show no signs of breeding in the United States after being exterminated by Southwestern ranchers. The last known resident female was killed in 2006. Macho B was one of two male jaguars from Mexico known to conservationists from photos taken by remote trail cameras. Its simple logic--no viable population, no protected habitat required. A joint US-Mexico jaguar reintroduction program should be one of the first programs to be funded under the new Great Cats and Rare Canids Act.[photo: Arizona Game & Fish Department]