Jaguar - Panthera onca

The jaguar is the world’s third largest feline and the most powerful feline in the Western Hemisphere. The species is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act having been largely extirpated from the United States since the early 1970’s. In its current range from Mexico into Central America and south to Paraguay and Argentina, jaguar populations are declining. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) considers the species as “near threatened” as it may face extinction in South America in the near future. Estimates indicate it has lost 37% of its historic range. The major threats to jaguar survival include deforestation, poaching for its valuable hide, and systematic hunting for jaguars that kill livestock.

All jaguars exhibited by zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are managed under the auspices of the Jaguar Species Survival Plan, consisting of 47 institutions. Keith Lovett, Palm Beach Zoo Director of Living Collections is the current co-chair of the SSP Committee for jaguars. The Palm Beach Zoo jaguar exhibit has been singled out for special praise by the authoritative television production, Animal Planet. The Palm Beach Zoo breeding pair, Nabalam and Muchacho, has produced five cubs so far; three of them have been placed on breeding loan in other AZA accredited zoos.

The Jaguar is the first “priority species” selected for intensive conservation action by the Palm Beach Zoo Board of Directors. We operate conservation education programs that provide school age children and zoo visitors with information to build awareness and promote action on behalf of the species. In partnership with other organizations such as Conservation International and the Wildlife Conservation Society, we provide support for field conservation throughout the jaguars range. Our captive propagation program is among the nation’s best. In the field, we support programs that protect jaguars from diseases that can jump from domesticated animals to wildlife, and we provide equipment and technology so jaguars can be studied day and night.

Please give generously to the Palm Beach Zoo Jaguar Conservation Fund, dedicated to field conservation, conservation medicine, education, and captive breeding programs to protect jaguars and jaguar habitat. Please help us protect them.