Jaguar Habitat in Arizona Protected

More than 1,100 square miles of southern Arizona and New Mexico have been designated as critical habitat for the endangered jaguar. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service action goes into effect April 4.

While there have been no breeding females in Arizona for some 50 years, young males sometimes make their way into southern Arizona from principal habitat in Mexico. During the past two years, a young male has generated excitement among wildlife and wilderness lovers with repeated sightings in the Santa Rita Mountains 40 miles southeast of Tucson. Some wildlife experts believe the big cat is making his home there.

Designation of critical habitat may allow more jaguars to disperse from the core population in Mexico, potentially leading to breeding pairs in the U.S., the first in decades. In fact, the U.S. FWS considers the U.S. habitat essential to the conservation of the species.

The designation allows most activities in the area to continue, including ranching and recreation. In fact, there are no across-the-board restrictions on private lands unless federal funds, permits, or activities are involved. In those cases, the activities’ effects on the big cats would have to be considered.

It should come as no surprise that some of the habitat designated includes wilderness and wilderness-worthy areas. The designated area includes existing wilderness near the Baboquivari, Mt. Wrightson and Miller Peak Wilderness areas. Importantly, it also includes wilderness-quality lands in the Whetstone and Tumacacori mountain ranges, among others.

Preservation of wilderness areas can be an important complement to preservation of species and wildlife. The same wild areas that inspire people often provide important habitat for wildlife that needs large areas in which to move, like the jaguar.

Learn more: US Fish & Wildlife Service News Release