Jaguars, the Americas' largest cat and much admired by the first Americans for its ferocity, strength, and stealth once lived in the southwest of what is now the United States. That is, until the white settler began exterminating
Panthera onca and then turned the pogrom over to his government's extermination specialists, the
{Wildlife Services Bureau}. Jaguar range now extends from Mexico's Sonoran Desert south to Argentina. No jaguars are known to breed within US borders, but there is considerable evidence that they still visit their former home
{Macho B, 02.03.10}. Therefore, conservation organizations like
Panthera have been arguing to establish critical habitat for our greatest feline. Conservationists apparently have prevailed on the Fish & Wildlife Service to a small extent.
Scientific American says in its July issue the Service is preparing to announce a tiny sliver of Arizona's southeast corner and adjacent southwest corner of New Mexico, as jaguar critical habitat after years of litigation. The critical designation does not include the Mogollon Rim and the Gila National Forest, both considered prime jaguar country by conservationists, but it is a start, for which conservationists are grateful. Macho B's death may not be in vain. Welcome home,
el tigre!
