November 15, 2007

Jaguar Conservation Team Update

I’ve been remiss is not sending this out earlier, but it’s a very busy time of the year for ranchers so please accept my apologies for not getting this done earlier.

The Jaguar Conservation Team met October 22nd in Tucson Arizona at the Botanical Gardens. If you’ve never had occasion to visit the gardens, I’d encourage you to do so. Very, very nice place!!
Many individuals and representatives from several organizations were in attendance. In fact, the small room was packed. The meeting began with an explanation from Bill VanPelt, AZ Game and Fish, about Terry Johnson’s absence. According to Bill, Terry was injured during a camping trip and has taken a medical leave of absence until the doctors can figure out what's happening.

After going through the usual ground rules and review of the agenda, we heard the most recent reports of sighting. Jim Stuart, NM Game and Fish, stated there had been one report from the Via Nuevo area, northwest of Albuquerque. It was a second hand account. The person calling in the report was not sure what the individual saw, however, they did get some contact information. NMG&F is in the process of contacting the individual who saw the feline.

Tim Snow reported 5 sightings in Arizona since the last meeting in the following areas; Bowie, Benson, Naco, Tucson and White Hills. They were all Class 3 sightings which means there was no physical evidence available to substantiate the reports.

According to Jack Childs, depredation committee, there have been no depredations since last spring (February 2007). Emil McCain, Jaguar Detection Project, reported they had a cluster of photos in April and May but the last photo was taken in June. They have had a lot of camera vandalism and a huge increase in illegal traffic. He suggested radio collaring Macho B would be the best way to track his activities and a collar had been donated for this activity. For more information on the Borderlands Jaguar Detection Project go to: www.borderjag.org

Bill VanPelt reported on coordination efforts with Mexico. There are 5 regions for jaguar, the closest is in Sinoloa, Mexico. A group of wildlife biologists have determined the greatest threat to jaguars is loss of habitat. Recently a group has been organized in Mexico. They are working on their charter and establishing protocols. They have broken up the area into counties and are identifying contacts in each county. They intend to meet monthly to discuss sightings and activities.

Bill also reported the jaguar website is on hold until AZ Game and Fish gets moved to their new location. He also reported on the recommendations from the research committee that a jaguar be radio-collared, adding Dr. Tuggle has asked for additional information before endorsing this activity.

Under Other Business, Michael Robinson, Center for Biological Diversity, read a resolution passed by the American Society of Mammalogists recommending U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service develop a recovery plan, designate critical habitat and address issues related to dispersal of jaguars across the international border.

It was noted that none of Dr. Alan Rabinowitz’s work was included in the Literature Citations underpinning the resolution. Bill Van Pelt stated Dr. Joe Cook, American Society of Mammalogists, would be invited to the next Jaguar Conservation Team meeting.

Information on the Center for Biological Diversity’s lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife is available on their website - http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/PRESS/jaguar-08-02-2007.html

U.S. Fish and Wildlife reported on the fencing project along the border.

The next meeting of the JAGCT will be January 24th at 10:00 a.m. in Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Judy