We have a plan
Created by Moncrief and Larsen, SEA-DISC Sir Francis Drake High School, 2017
Desert landscape, (Moncrief, 2017)
In 2016, a recovery plan was published and outlined with important steps that need to be taken for the jaguar. The recovery plan states goals and actions, as well as predicts the wellbeing of jaguars if these steps are met. The main goals that prove crucial are removal or mitigation of the primary threats of jaguars. These threats include “habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal killing, and unsustainable depletion of jaguar prey resources” (Jaguar, Panthera onca). If these threats could be removed, then jaguars would receive the opportunity that they deserve to recover. Multiple criteria must be met before they can be
Jaguars playing, (Timbako, 2017)
Jaguar perched in Tree, (Timbako, 2017)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for listing the status of species in America, as well as creating recovery plans for those nearing extinction. The jaguar was designated as endangered on March 30, 1972 and later protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1975 (ESA). The ESA is one of the most far-reaching environmental laws ever adopted by any nation designed to identify and protect endangered species in the US and abroad. Due to the extremely few individuals left in the wild in the U.S., the jaguar is considered functionally extinct: it can no longer fulfill its crucial ecological role (Rizzo, 2005). But the species could recover from functional extinction if it were given the opportunity and support from individuals. Your help could make a significant difference in the recovery of jaguars!
there is still hope
reclassified from endangered to threatened. Their status must change on the IUCN, and their populations must not be at a risk of a 30% decline because of its area of occupancy, extent of occurrence or habitat quality. The potential levels of exploitation must also be stable for at least fifteen years (FWS, 2016).
Other criteria include maintaining an occupancy of at least 60% in each of the Core Areas over 15 years. Their habitat and habitat connections between blocks must also be mapped and conditions in each block and connective area are described based on field visits (FWS, 2016). One or more potential linkages between the Jalisco and Sonora Core Areas must allow natural dispersal and have been mapped based on documented use by jaguars (FWS, 2016). Another important task is to identify potential barriers and impediments in the corridor based on field visits and develop and implement strategies to mitigate them (FWS, 2016). However, the recovery plan has not yet lead to direct action and many marks must be met. It will take time, devotion, and resources to fulfill this criteria.