The World Wildlife Fund has long recognised that the best way for the public – especially those far-removed from the rainforest – to engage with the problems facing the environment is to associate it with a particular animal. The panda, for instance, is synonymous with the organisation, an appealing icon of the good work done in the name of preserving our planet for future generations.
Once widespread across the Americas, from the southwestern United States to northern Argentina, jaguars are now limited to the forests, savannahs and steppes of Central America. There have been no confirmed sightings of jaguars in the US since the 90s.
The third largest cat in the world, the biggest jaguars weigh in at over 300 pounds. Unlike other big cats, the jaguar is a keen climber and swimmer. Jaguars range between five and six foot in length. These majestic carnivores hunt wild pigs, rats, deer, sloths, caymans, tapirs and even fish.
Their name comes from the South American ‘jaguara’, meaning ‘carnivore that overcomes prey with a single bound. Jaguars are stalkers and ambushers, often dragging kills to a safe location, away from scavengers, before eating. Solitary creatures, they make their dens in caves, usually close to freshwater.
Sadly, their population has decreased as a result of human settlement and deforestation. They are certainly hunted for their fur and meat, but the chief problem facing the jaguar is loss of habitat. There are currently an estimated 15,000 jaguars left in the wild.
Taking part in the ‘Adopt a Jaguar’ program gets you a gift certificate, a framed photo and species information pack, and the option of a cuddly toy jaguar, gift box and gift bag. The adoption pack makes an ideal gift for an ecologically-minded friend – visit rainforestrescue.sky.com for more information.
To learn more about these majestic creatures visit the National Geographic website.
