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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.
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Approximately how much jaguar habitat has been lost to human development?
More than 1.5 million acres of jaguar habitat has already been lost to human development.
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The proposed "jaguar corridor" would stretch from Mexico to Argentina. Where is the most critical area of the corridor?
The swampy Pantanal region of Brazil is the largest and most important area of the corridor.
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How large can a jaguar of the Pantanal grow?
A jaguar of the Pantanal can grow to 23 kilograms (150 pounds).
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Why do ranchers oppose the proposed jaguar corridor?
Ranchers say jaguars prey on their cattle.
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What health statistics do scientists measure in a captive jaguar?
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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