ed Dec. 12, the Center for Biological Diversity the group argued both states were needed for reintroducing jaguars in the U.S. and seeing its population increase to avoid extinction.
The Center argued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, despite listing the species for federal protections 50 years ago, so far failed to adequately protect the species from extinction.
Jaguars are known to dwell in northwest Mexico, the petition read, but lack genetic diversity and are impeded by climate change.
Expanding their range in the U.S. and reintroducing the cats would help restore its population, argued the petition.
“Restoring the jaguar to a small part of its historic range in the U.S. would enrich our southwestern ecosystems, genetically bolster jaguars in Mexico, and show that we love life on earth, even in its fiercest manifestations,” said Michael Robinson with the Center for Biological Diversity.
Gila National Forest in southern New Mexico was proven to have ideal jaguar habitat, the petition argued, and would be suitable for reintroduction with abundant deer, elk and javelina the cat could prey upon.
Robinson pointed to reintroduction programs that proved successful in Argentina, involving a public planning process to include local communities and stakeholders.
He said a return of the jaguar’s presence in the U.S. would benefit the broader ecosystem, as the species already supported the evolution of prey. He pointed to the mule deer which Robinson said developed ears that can swivel to detect the camouflaged predator.
“Because all life is connected in ways that humans only partly understand, I truly believe that jaguar reintroduction will benefit the long-term sustainability of all living beings in the Southwest,” Robinson said.
The petition called for the federal government or restore critical habitat designations in New Mexico and add lands in the region for a total area of about 14.6 million acres used for restoring the species in four areas between the two states.
Connecting the protected lands in New Mexico and