Jaguar
seen previously in different mountain range
December 2012. An adult male jaguar and an adult male ocelot have been
photographed in two separate southern Arizona mountain ranges by automated
wildlife monitoring cameras. The images were collected as part of the Jaguar
Survey and Monitoring Project led by the University of Arizona. Both animals
appear to be in good health.
Jaguar photographed in 2011 & 2012 in different locations
In late November 2012, the UA project team downloaded photos from wildlife cameras set up as part of the research project and found new pictures of a jaguar in the Santa Rita Mountains. A total of ten jaguar photos were taken by three UA cameras and one Arizona Game and Fish Department camera. The cat's unique spot pattern matched that of a male jaguar in the Whetstone Mountains photographed by a hunter in the fall of 2011, providing clear evidence that the big cats travel between southern Arizona's "sky island" mountain ranges.
A
September 2012 jaguar "tail" photo was previously reported by the
Arizona Game and Fish Department from a hunter's automated wildlife monitoring
camera in the Santa Rita Mountains. None of the UA photos can be matched to
this "tail" photo because, in the new photos, the tail is obscured or
the opposite side of the jaguar was photographed. However, the jaguar is most
likely the same individual.
Ocelot
In addition, a new ocelot photo was taken in the Huachuca Mountains west of Sierra Vista by one of the UA project cameras. Again, comparisons of the spot patterns revealed this to be the same male ocelot that has been reported by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and photographed in the Huachucas several times in 2011 and 2012. However, the UA photo was taken about 4 miles away from the previous photos, demonstrating that even the smaller cats move across the rugged Arizona landscape.
In addition, a new ocelot photo was taken in the Huachuca Mountains west of Sierra Vista by one of the UA project cameras. Again, comparisons of the spot patterns revealed this to be the same male ocelot that has been reported by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and photographed in the Huachucas several times in 2011 and 2012. However, the UA photo was taken about 4 miles away from the previous photos, demonstrating that even the smaller cats move across the rugged Arizona landscape.
The
purpose of the UA research project is to establish a non-invasive, hands-off
system for detecting and monitoring jaguars and ocelots. The project is using
motion-sensor-activated "trail" cameras placed in areas most likely
to detect the spotted cats. Once fully operational, up to 240 paired cameras
will be in place throughout the project area to capture images of both sides of
detected animals.
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