John,
Jaguars once roamed from California to the Carolinas, but by the 1960s, ruthless killing had eradicated the majestic cats from the United States.
Jaguars are now protected as an endangered species across their range. And a few of the great spotted cats have crossed the border from Mexico into their historic home in Arizona, delighting animal lovers around the world.
But we can do more to bring jaguars back to the Southwest.
Scientists have identified a wide swath of habitat in Arizona and New Mexico — 20 million acres, or about 32,000 square miles — that could eventually support more than 100 jaguars. This week we petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reintroduce jaguars to the area and also vastly expand the cats' protected habitat.
If jaguars are ever to have a viable population in the United States, we need to protect more of their most important habitat and actively reintroduce them.
Add your voice: Tell the Service you support the jaguar's return.
