Jaguar Corridor

  • Jaguars have recently been spotted crossing the U.S.-Mexico border for the first time in about 40 years. This is good news to conservationists working to create a permanent home in the feline’s native range—a corridor that stretches from Mexico to Argentina.

    But the task is not as simple as setting land aside. While camera traps and satellite tags gather crucial population data, sensitive political battles are waged with private landowners and governments. The truth is, aiding predators is a hard sell.

    Wild Chronicles follows one man’s attempts to save the largest cat in the Americas, and discover what scientists are hoping will allow jaguars, and the people that share their land, to thrive.

    1. Approximately how much jaguar habitat has been lost to human development?

      Show Answer

      More than 1.5 million acres of jaguar habitat has already been lost to human development.

    2. The proposed "jaguar corridor" would stretch from Mexico to Argentina. Where is the most critical area of the corridor?

      Show Answer

      The swampy Pantanal region of Brazil is the largest and most important area of the corridor.

    3. How large can a jaguar of the Pantanal grow?

      Show Answer

      A jaguar of the Pantanal can grow to 23 kilograms (150 pounds).

    4. Why do ranchers oppose the proposed jaguar corridor?

      Show Answer

      Ranchers say jaguars prey on their cattle.

    5. What health statistics do scientists measure in a captive jaguar?

      Show Answer

      Scientists measure the jaguar's temperature, pulse, and respiration rate.

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  • Term Part of Speech Definition Encyclopedic Entry
    big cat Noun

    large predators, including tigers, lions, jaguars, and leopards.
    border Noun

    natural or artificial line separating two pieces of land.

    		 Encyclopedic Entry: border
    conservationist Noun

    person who works to preserve natural habitats.
    crucial Adjective

    very important.
    government Noun

    system or order of a nation, state, or other political unit.
    jaguar Noun

    large spotted cat native to the Americas.
    predator Noun

    animal that hunts other animals for food.
    satellite tag Noun

    device attached to animals that can track their movement using satellites and GPS technology.
    species range Noun

    native, geographic area in which an organism can be found. Range also refers to the geographic distribution of a particular species.

    		 Encyclopedic Entry: species range
    thrive Verb

    to develop and be successful.
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Writer

Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

Editor

Jeannie Evers, Emdash Editing

Producer

Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

Last Updated

Nov. 14, 2016

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