What is happening with jaguars?

dillotest0

dillotest0

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
I have noticed somewhat that whilst many lions, tigers and leopards are often tamed and are available for performance in photography, commercials [and to a lesser extent, circus] etc there seems less snow leopards and jaguars in such things. And also in zoos I see many of these species [snow leopards included] but less jaguars. And also the jaguar exhibits I see in zoos are often [though not necessarily always] architecturally distinct from those of other big cats. I wasn't entirely sure why this was? Have I not seen enough jaguar enclosures? Since they were in considerable numbers in the US until later times, were there laws restricting their holding in US captivity? Are their bio-mechanics largely different from other big cats?
 
As far as I know jaguars along with many South American felids that have a population in the US such as jaguarundi and margay are subjected to the Endangered Species Act which makes the acquisition and transport across state lines much more difficult compared to non-native species listed under the ESA.

The low numbers of jaguars could also be observed in Japan where there are only 10 holders of jags while lions and tigers are numerous enough to be found in roadside facilities.
 
It could also be that jaguars and leopards are more dangerous than other big cats.
 
So, I've either volunteered or worked with all eight of big cats (generally defined as keepers by lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, snow leopard, clouded cI'm being cranky and lumping the clouded leopards together for purposes of this discussion), and I can honestly say - jags scare me. They were the cat that I always felt most on edge around - they were the ones that never stopped watching you or testing you; unlike tiger or puma, i very rarely experienced “friendly” behavior, like soliciting scratches. They just always seemed on edge. What I also remember about jags was their power - toys that would hold up against other big cats, even larger ones, were demolished by jags. Lovely animals, but not the easiest to work with.
 
I’ve no experience with Jaguars, but believe they have rarely (maybe never) been trained for circus work, unlike other large cats. I’ve seen a trainer with a Leopard draped over his shoulders, and cannot imagine a Jaguar cooperating with that.
 
There could be a historical basis to this, lions, tigers, and leopards have been used in entertainment since Roman times as they previously ranged in Europe and the Middle East. I imagine in later times it may have been cheaper to import individuals from closer regions too, mostly just speculating there.
 
Jags have
FBBird said:
I’ve no experience with Jaguars, but believe they have rarely (maybe never) been trained for circus work, unlike other large cats. I’ve seen a trainer with a Leopard draped over his shoulders, and cannot imagine a Jaguar cooperating with that.
Click to expand...
Jags have been used in circuses, including by Ringling Brothers and Bostock - but you’re right, not nearly as often as lions or tigers
 
PossumRoach said:
As far as I know jaguars along with many South American felids that have a population in the US such as jaguarundi and margay are subjected to the Endangered Species Act which makes the acquisition and transport across state lines much more difficult compared to non-native species listed under the ESA.
Click to expand...

Yes, but so are the Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard, and Cheetah (Lion appears to be an exception, oddly), so not likely as a reason for uncommonness. I have heard that Jaguar breeding success has been low the past few years, which is probably the more likely factor.

Aardwolf said:
What I also remember about jags was their power - toys that would hold up against other big cats, even larger ones, were demolished by jags.
Click to expand...

I've observed this when visiting zoos, toys in with jaguars always look worse for wear compared to other big cats. I also remember the AZA Jag manual cautioning that Jags tend to readily destroy inadequate fencing, and their jaw power should not be underestimated.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JVM
Lack of breeding success certainly hasn't helped the matter as far as US Zoos are concerned. Jacksonville Zoo finally had a cub born this year, but before that it was multiple years since the last time a cub was born in the AZA. That being said, while the AZA population has been struggling, at least anecdotally they seem to be rising in popularity outside of the AZA.

It honestly surprises me jaguars are less popular of a big cat for zoos than some of the others. If a zoo in the US wants a big cat species to represent Asia, they have seven SSP options (Amur Leopard, Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard, and three Tiger subspecies). In Africa, they have both lions and cheetahs. For South America? Jaguars are *the* option, although I suppose some zoos probably use pumas as a South American cat species. Are zoos less likely to have large carnivore exhibits in their South American regions than in their African/Asian regions? There aren't really any large carnivores to represent South America in other families as well, with only maned wolves and Andean bears.
 
In multiple cases I'm aware of, zoos that transitioned from big cat/feline buildings with larger collection to more dedicated and focused species/biome-themed exhibits almost always ditched the Jaguar. The new focus animal will need as much space as possible, and keeping popular lions and/or tigers on hand is a higher priority.

There's also very few large South America complexes in AZA, especially outside California/Texas/Florida, with the remaining exhibits often being focused on smaller species, so there are fewer spaces where they "fit" in.

I also suspect that a lot of zoos just don't see them worth investing in since to the most casual visitor, a snow leopard, a clouded leopard, an amur leopard and a jaguar are all 'leopards'.
 
Aardwolf said:
So, I've either volunteered or worked with all eight of big cats (generally defined as keepers by lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, snow leopard, clouded cI'm being cranky and lumping the clouded leopards together for purposes of this discussion), and I can honestly say - jags scare me. They were the cat that I always felt most on edge around - they were the ones that never stopped watching you or testing you; unlike tiger or puma, i very rarely experienced “friendly” behavior, like soliciting scratches. They just always seemed on edge. What I also remember about jags was their power - toys that would hold up against other big cats, even larger ones, were demolished by jags. Lovely animals, but not the easiest to work with.
Click to expand...
When my fiancé and I did a tour dedicated to cats at the San Diego Zoo, a big cat keeper took the time to talk to us and had made mention how the Jaguar has been amongst the most feared big cat they’ve worked with. They especially had said their current jag, Nindiri, being very smart and would try to make escapes a few times.
 
Regarding jaguars in circuses: I remember a big cat trainer telling me that jaguars are more unpredictable than the other big cats; and I've heard similar sentiments by others working with them. Which made me quite nervous during my first time cleaning a jaguar enclosure...
On the other hand, there are not that many accounts of jaguars becoming man-eaters in comparison to tigers, leopards or lions. But zoo accidents involving jaguars have ended badly for zookeepers, like in Vienna or Denver.
 
Jaguars do have a lot of competition from other big spotted cats. Most zoos going for big cats will first fill the lion and the tiger slot given their popularity and then add 1-2 of the spotted cats to round their collection. Jaguar are at a disadvantage compared to snow leopards, Amur leopards, North Chinese leopards and Persian leopards in that they require a heated indoor enclosure. Additionally jaguar are in a lower IUCN category then the aforementioned (sub-)species, but also lower then Sri Lankan leopard and clouded leopards which are the most common tropical spotted cats. For zoos with a geographic focus jaguars still make a lot of sense, but compared with their unpredictability and strength leopards are a more easy choice I would say.
 
Last edited:
lintworm said:
Jaguars do have a lot of competition from other big spotted cats. Most zoos going for big cats will first fill the lion and the tiger slot given their popularity and then add 1-2 of the spotted cats to round their collection. Jaguar are at a disadvantage compared to snow leopards, Amur leopards, North Chinese leopards and Persian leopards in that they require a heated indoor enclosure.
Click to expand...

Jaguar also averages larger than leopards (especially by weight), and potentially represents a larger exhibit footprint and certainly stronger materials - a 100 pound Snow Leopard crashing into mesh is far less likely to do significant damage than a 280 pound Jag. Much easier for smaller zoos to just go with leopards.

lintworm said:
Additionally jaguar are in a lower IUCN category then the aforementioned (sub-)species, but also lower then Sri Lankan leopard and clouded leopards which are the most common tropical spotted cats
Click to expand...

The Jaguar was last assessed in 2016, and the IUCN noted at the time they may qualify for VU in the near future. However they seem to be faring reasonably well range-wise compared to their relatives, having only becoming regionally extinct in two countries and maintaining a stronghold in the Amazon Basin. I agree the perceived stabler status may make them less attractive to zoos than the highly threatened Amur Leopard in particular, especially given the various other difficulties with keeping Jaguar discussed so far.
 
In the US, I have noticed that the majority of zoos housing jaguars seem to be in the southern states, I’m guessing because they aren’t as cold tolerant as Amur leopard or snow leopard, which beyond the expected lion and tiger seem to be what most zoos up here in the north go with.
 
Last edited:
Aren't cats super flexible with temperature?

I know lions will happily play in the snow
 
tigris115 said:
Aren't cats super flexible with temperature?

I know lions will happily play in the snow
Click to expand...
According to the Animal Care Manuals for Jaguars published by the AZA, it’s recommended that zoos in northern regions build indoor exhibits and have access to some outdoor areas for warmer days.

I think Lions in general are more tolerant to more harsh weather, both cold and hot. The ACM for Lions says it’s recommended to have access to an indoor enclosure or supplemental heat for temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
Julio C Castro said:
I think Lions in general are more tolerant to more harsh weather, both cold and hot. The ACM for Lions says it’s recommended to have access to an indoor enclosure or supplemental heat for temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Click to expand...

Well and many parts of Africa get a bit chillier than we tend to remember, with some parts of the year seeing temperatures dropping into the 50's or even 40's at night in some areas the charismatic fauna inhabits. We see this in the temperature tolerance of several species, such as lion, zebras, many of the larger African antelope, etc. Conversely, there is much less temperature variance in much of Central America and Amazonia other than elevationally - and the Jaguar typically is replaced at higher elevations by the Cougar.
 
People also tend to forget that some areas in the US where Jaguars formerly lived get pretty chilly as well - the Central Arizona Plateau is a reintroduction area being considered and that area has fairly cold, snowy winters.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top