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North America: Mexico Jaguar Project

Conservation at a Glance

• A breeding population of about 100 jaguars can be found 120 miles south of the U.S. – Mexico border in a sparsely populated area of huge cattle ranches. 
• These jaguars are threatened by habitat destruction and persecution by cattle ranchers as potential cattle predators.
• The Mexico Jaguar Project purchases and protects jaguar habitat in northern Mexico and pays Jaguar Guardians to help local ranchers learn how to live with jaguars.  Philadelphia Zoo guests can help purchase land for jaguars by contributing to Acres for Jaguars in the Zoo’s Bank of America Big Cat Falls or on the Zoo’s website.  
• Studies conducted by Mexico Jaguar Project scientists using “camera traps” are documenting range, abundance, and habits of jaguars.
• Jaguars have increasingly been making their way north from Mexico into Arizona and New Mexico, part of their former range
• U.S. border security activities could create barriers for jaguars attempting to migrate into the U.S. from Mexico. The Mexico Jaguar Project is addressing these issues by hosting discussion meetings for agencies involved in wildlife and border protection.