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?

    • 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?

    • 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?

    • Answer

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

  4. Why do ranchers oppose the proposed jaguar corridor?

    • Answer

      Ranchers say jaguars prey on their cattle.

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

    • Answer

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

big cat
Noun

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

natural or artificial line separating two pieces of land.
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.
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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