Arizona jaguar's death probably hastened by capture, zoo veterinarian says

A jaguar captured recently during an Arizona Game and Fish Department research study was fitted with a tracking collar and released. Jaguars were once thought to be extinct in the U.S., and researchers were hopeful that following the big cat's movements could prove helpful in the jaguar conservation effort. But events took a sad turn when wildlife officials noted Macho B's movement patterns slowing. Observing the jaguar in the wild, they noted his abnormal gait and apparent weight loss. Fearing for his health, they recaptured Macho B and transported him to the Phoenix Zoo for evaluation. Shortly thereafter, Macho B was euthanized when tests revealed severe kidney failure from which he could not recover. Fish and Wildlife spokesman Jeff Humphrey said kidney failure was common in older cats, but questions remained about whether stress from his capture had caused or exacerbated Macho B's condition. A necropsy was performed, and today Phoenix Zoo Executive Vice President Dr. Dean Rice is saying the capture probably played a key role in the jaguar's death...LA Times

Capture 'em and kill 'em, a new motto for the USFWS.

Let's bring them boys over to manage the mexican wolf program.