Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Endangered Status for the Jaguar in the United States

Zusammenfassung

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 12- month finding on a petition to extend endangered status to the jaguar (Panthera onca) throughout its range under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Service finds that the petitioned action is warranted. The jaguar is currently listed as endangered from Mexico southward to Central and South America. In the United States the primary threat to this species is from shooting. Loss and modification of the jaguar's habitat may have also contributed to its decline. While no breeding population of the jaguar is known to survive in the U.S., the species is present in northern Mexico, and wandering individuals occasionally cross the border. A minimum of 64 jaguars have been killed in Arizona since 1900. The most recent was in 1986. This proposal, if made final, will extend Federal protection provided by the Act for such dispersing animals. Critical habitat is not being proposed. The Service seeks data and comments from the public on this proposal.