Endangered Jaguar Spotted at Watering Hole in Arizona
Unique Sighting Captured by Remote Camera
Researchers from the University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center have confirmed the sighting of a new jaguar in southern Arizona, marking the fifth big cat to be spotted in the area over the last 15 years following its crossing of the U.S.-Mexico border. The distinct rosette pattern on this particular jaguar, captured by a remote camera at a watering hole in November 2025, has helped researchers verify that it is indeed a new visitor to the region.
“We’re very excited. It signifies this edge population of jaguars continues to come here because they’re finding what they need,” said Susan Malusa, director of the center’s jaguar and ocelot project, in an interview.
Ongoing Research and Conservation Efforts
The research team is currently collecting scat samples for genetic analysis to gather more information about this new jaguar, including its sex and dietary preferences. The diet could include various local wildlife such as skunks, javelina, and small deer. Malusa highlighted the jaguar’s status as an indicator species, suggesting that their presence in the region reflects a healthy ecosystem. However, she noted that climate change and border fencing pose significant threats to their migratory routes.
Climate change, notably rising temperatures and persistent drought, is increasing the urgency for conservation efforts aimed at ensuring connectivity within jaguar habitats in Arizona. Although the majority of jaguar populations reside in Central and South America, sporadic sightings in the U.S. are believed to come from individuals dispersing from Mexico’s core populations.
Threats and Legal Challenges
The jaguar has not bred in the U.S. in over a century, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servstart has classified habitat loss and fragmentation, along with hunting for trophies and illegal trade, as primary threats to their survival. In response to a legal challenge, federal biologists adjusted the habitat designated for jaguars in 2024, reducing the protected area to approximately 1,000 square miles in Arizona’s Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise counties.
Malusa reported that recent data indicates jaguars appear in Arizona approximately every few years, often linked to water availability. The new jaguar, known as Jaguar #5, has notably returned to the area for 10 consecutive days, an unusual behavior for the typically elusive species.
Positive Outlook for Jaguar Population
“This species is recovering,” Malusa emphasized, expressing optimism about the potential for future conservation efforts. “We want people to know that we still have a chance to get it right and keep these corridors open.”
In 2024, a trail camera captured the image of another jaguar in the Huachuca Mountains near Tucson, identified as separate from previously known individuals like Sombra or El Jefe. El Jefe, also known as “The Boss,” made headlines in 2023 for successfully crossing the heavily fortified U.S.-Mexico border.
As the only big cat found in the Americas and the third-largest cat globally after tigers and lions, the jaguar’s presence continues to be a critical focus for wildlife conservation efforts in the region.
Photo Credit: [University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center]