Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Death of Last US Jaguar Sparks Inquiry

Case rife with finger-pointing among Ariz. wildlife officials

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 5, 2009 11:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – Amidst a federal probe, the mysterious death of America’s last known jaguar is turning into a big cat fight, the New York Times reports. Arizona wildlife officials say they mistakenly trapped Macho B in a leg-hold snare and found him to be healthy. But a conservationist working with the group said they intentionally caught the 16-year-old animal—which experts had warned against.

Wildlife personnel recaptured the jaguar last month after noticing strange behavior. They diagnosed irreversible kidney failure and later euthanized the jaguar. But some experts, questioning the diagnosis, say that decision was too hasty, Discovery News reports. “All of the critical evidence is missing,” said one veterinarian. Once ubiquitous, jaguars have been decimated by a century of hunting.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (2)]

A collared jaguar nicknamed Macho B is seen in this February 2009 photo provided by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. (AP Photo/Arizona Game and Fish Department)

This February 2009 photo provided by the Arizona Game and Fish Department shows a jaguar with a GPS collar, nicknamed Macho B. (AP Photo/Arizona Game and Fish Department)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

That jaguar meant a lot to me, and the fact that I mindlessly participated in this, it's a regret I'll have for the rest of my life. - Janay Brun, conservationist
who set the trap for Macho B

One of the major problems that certainly contributed to Macho B's death was that there was no recovery plan for jaguars. It's too late for him. But we look forward to a scientific plan that will make sure their numbers increase. - Michael Robinson, conservationist

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

AP Photo

35 Brutally Honest Reasons Men Say No to Sex (The Stir)

Man in Mugshot Explains Why He Has Half a Head (HuffPost)

Another Sign Rihanna and Chris Brown Might Get Back Together? (Celebuzz)

These Exes Were Spotted Making Out … and That's a Bad Thing (Bleacher Report)

Which Entertainer Pulled Out of 'Inappropriate' Whitney Tribute? (NewsOne)

Partner Links

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

Showing 3 of 6 comments

Doctor-Zaius

Apr 6, 2009 10:52 AM CDT

As much as I'm all for the environment and saving endangered species could you imagine the deaths these animals would cause if they roamed freely in their 18th century habitat? They are the third largest feline predator on the planet roaming free from California to Georgia without the fear of man that a cougar has and a much bigger appetite.

Snowleopard

Apr 6, 2009 7:31 AM CDT

no, they weren't on the brink of "the end". they just started coming up into arizona again from mexico. there's a breeding population down there.

riffran

Apr 6, 2009 6:38 AM CDT

AND we taste like chicken...rofl..

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Rick Santorum: Birth Control Is 'Not OK'

Valentine's Day Role-Playing Goes Very Wrong

New York Times (Source Grid »)
Discovery News (Source Grid »)
Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (Source Grid »)

US • Green

endangered species • Arizona • US Fish and Wildlife Service • wildlife • jaguar

More Newser Stories

Amid Mass Die-Offs, Pockets of Brown Bats Survive

Bats appear to be resistant to devastating white nose syndrome

(NEWSER) - White nose syndrome has killed millions of bats over the past five years, decimating the little brown bat population by more than 90% in some areas, but scientists have found reason to hope: In Vermont and Pennsylvania, there are surviving colonies of the threatened species. “I’m cautiously hopeful that eventually these animals can be recovered,” says one conservationist. But the crisis isn’t over yet: Though “bats haven’t entirely fallen off the cliff yet,” they’re hanging on by just “a tiny little fingernail,” she says. More»

Wild Jaguar Spotted in Arizona

Sighting is first since 2009

(NEWSER) - A wild jaguar has been seen in the US for the first time in more than two years. The sighting was made by an Arizona hunter using dogs to track mountain lions and was confirmed by state wildlife officials. Jaguars—the only big cat in the Americas to roar—are a rare sight in the rugged Arizona-Mexico borderlands. The last wild jaguar seen in the US was captured and euthanized due to health problems in 2009. More»

Calif. Judge Steps Up Protection for 40 Species

Feds not doing enough for wildlife in national forests, judge rules

(NEWSER) - Endangered birds, fish, frogs, butterflies, and even a species of sea lion are set to benefit from a judge's ruling that federal authorities need to do more to protect some 40 species in southern California's national forests. The judge ordered three federal agencies to "take all necessary measures" to devise and implement safeguards for the species, which include the California condor, the San Joaquin fox, and the Santa Ana sucker, reports the Los Angeles Times . More»

Eastern Cougar Is Extinct

Federal agency makes it official

(NEWSER) - The eastern cougar is coming off the endangered species list, but for the worst possible reason: It's extinct. The big cat, also called the eastern puma, has likely been gone since the 1930s, but the official confirmation came today from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. It used to roam from Maine to South Carolina, notes Our Amazing Planet . More»

Thais Bust Man With 'Suitcase Zoo'

Smuggler tried to board plane with hundreds of creatures in luggage

(NEWSER) - Bangkok authorities have busted a man who attempted to board a plane carrying enough creatures to start a small zoo. The Indonesian smuggler's three suitcases contained dozens of snakes—including two boa constrictors and 34 ball pythons—26 lizards of assorted kinds, six Argentine horned frogs, 18 baboon spiders, 22 squirrels, a parrot, and close to 150 tortoises of various species, according to Traffic, an organization that fights illegal wildlife trafficking. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Death of Last US Jaguar Sparks Inquiry