Defenders of Wildlife jaguar conservation statement

~ Defenders of Wildlife ~
statement on jaguar protection in Southwest

WASHINGTON (U.S. Newswire) -- Following is a Feb. 22, 1997 statement by Defenders of Wildlife President Rodger Schlickeisen on jaguar protection in the southwest:

The cooperative spirit with which Defenders of Wildlife wishes to pursue the conservation and recovery of the jaguar (Panthera onca) with federal, state and local governments, and private landowners, is being threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) blatant violation of the Endangered Species Act in failing to list the species. In 1979, the FWS commentary specifically on the jaguar stated:

It has always been the intent of the Service that all populations of the (jaguar) deserve to be listed as endangered, whether they occur in the United States or in foreign countries. Therefore, the Service intends to take action as quickly as possible to correct the oversight that excludes them from the current list.

Seventeen years later, jaguars still do not receive federal protection in the United States, though they do in Mexico. Such U.S. protection could and should be provided under the Endangered Species Act.

The jaguar is a magnificent cat that once roamed over much of the southern United States. Rapid settlement and the influx of large numbers of livestock combined to push the jaguar out of its last major strongholds in Arizona and Texas. Despite ruthless hunting and vast habitat loss, the jaguar persists and continues to struggle for survival in remote parts of the U.S. A male jaguar was shot in Arizona in 1986 and two others were photographed in the state last year. Additionally, there have been numerous other sightings reported from various locations throughout southern Arizona.

It is widely accepted that enough habitat remains to allow for recovery of the species. However, recovery can only occur if the FWS stops stalling and acts immediately. Although we are willing to work with anyone seeking to protect the jaguar, we insist that the species first be listed as the law requires. At this point, the use of a Conservation Agreement as a substitute for listing would jeopardize jaguar survival; it is simply too little, too late...and plainly unacceptable.

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