History of Jaguar in Timeline

The jaguar is a large cat species native to the Americas and the largest feline in the Americas. It can weigh up to 158 kg and reach 1.85m in length. Its coat is typically pale yellow to tan with spots that transition to rosettes, though melanistic individuals exist. The jaguar possesses a powerful bite, enabling it to pierce turtle shells. Uniquely, it often kills mammalian prey by biting directly through the skull, delivering a fatal blow to the brain.

1939: Pocock Recognizes Eight Jaguar Subspecies

In 1939, Reginald Innes Pocock recognized eight subspecies of jaguars based on the geographic origins and skull morphology of various specimens. He expressed doubt about the subspecific status of several due to limited access to zoological specimens.

1940: Jaguar Extirpation in Venezuela

In Venezuela, the jaguar was extirpated in about 26% of its range in the country since 1940, mostly in dry savannas and unproductive scrubland in the northeastern region of Anzoátegui.

1948: Last Confirmed Jaguar in Texas Shot

In 1948, the last confirmed jaguar in Texas was shot 4.8 km (3 miles) southeast of Kingsville, Texas.

1963: Female Jaguar Shot in the White Mountains, Arizona

In Arizona, a female jaguar was shot in the White Mountains in 1963.

1969: Arizona Outlaws Jaguar Hunting

Arizona outlawed jaguar hunting in 1969, by which time the population was severely reduced.

1973: Enactment of CITES

The trade in jaguar skins decreased since 1973 when the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species was enacted.

1977: Jaguar Group Sightings in Paraguay River Valley

In 1977, groups consisting of a male, female and cubs, and two females with two males were sighted several times in a study area in the Paraguay River valley.

1986: Establishment of Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

In 1986, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary was established in Belize as the world's first protected area for jaguar conservation.

1995: Jaguars Killed in Alto Paraná Atlantic forests

In the Alto Paraná Atlantic forests, at least 117 jaguars were killed in Iguaçu National Park and the adjacent Misiones Province between 1995 and 2008.

1996: Jaguars Photographed in the Southwestern US

Between 1996 and 2024, eight jaguars were photographed in the southwestern US.

1996: Jaguar Research Initiated in Arizona

In 1996, a rancher and hunting guide from Douglas, Arizona, encountered a jaguar in the Peloncillo Mountains and became a researcher, using trail cameras to record four more jaguars.

1998: Jaguars Killed in Panama

Between 1998 and 2014, 220 of 230 jaguars were killed in Panama in retaliation for predation on livestock.

1999: Areas for Long-Term Jaguar Conservation Determined

In 1999, field scientists from 18 jaguar range countries determined the most important areas for long-term jaguar conservation based on the status of jaguar population units, stability of prey base and quality of habitat. These areas, called "Jaguar Conservation Units" (JCUs), are large enough for at least 50 breeding individuals.

1999: Jaguar's Historic Range Estimated

In 1999, the jaguar's historic range at the turn of the 20th century was estimated at 19,000,000 km, stretching from the southern United States through Central America to southern Argentina. By the turn of the 21st century, its global range had decreased to about 8,750,000 km.

2000: Forest Loss in Jaguar Range

Between 2000 and 2012, forest loss in the jaguar range amounted to 83.759 km.

October 2001: Jaguar Monitoring in the Southern Pantanal

Between October 2001 and April 2004, 10 jaguars were monitored in the southern Pantanal. In the dry season from April to September, they killed prey at intervals ranging from one to seven days; and ranging from one to 16 days in the wet season from October to March.

2001: Jaguar Infanticide Documented in Emas National Park

In 2001, a male jaguar killed and partially consumed two cubs in Emas National Park. DNA paternity testing of blood samples revealed that the male was the father of the cubs.

2002: Estimate of Jaguar Range Decline

In 2002, it was estimated that the range of the jaguar had declined to about 46% of its range in the early 20th century.

2002: Jaguar Listed as Near Threatened

In 2002, the jaguar is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List since, as the jaguar population has probably declined by 20–25% since the mid-1990s.

2003: Jaguar Density Studies in the Pantanal

Studies employing GPS telemetry in 2003 and 2004 found densities of only six to seven jaguars per 100 km in the Pantanal region, compared with 10 to 11 using traditional methods.

April 2004: Jaguar Monitoring in the Southern Pantanal

2004: First Documented Black Jaguar in Northern Mexico

In 2004, a camera trap in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains photographed the first documented black jaguar in Northern Mexico.

2004: Jaguar Density Studies in the Pantanal

Studies employing GPS telemetry in 2003 and 2004 found densities of only six to seven jaguars per 100 km in the Pantanal region, compared with 10 to 11 using traditional methods.

2005: National Conservation Strategy Developed

In 2005, Mexico started developing a national conservation strategy for jaguars.

June 2008: First Official Record of a Jaguar Killing a Human in Brazil

The first official record of a jaguar killing a human in Brazil dates to June 2008.

2008: Jaguars Killed in Alto Paraná Atlantic forests

In the Alto Paraná Atlantic forests, at least 117 jaguars were killed in Iguaçu National Park and the adjacent Misiones Province between 1995 and 2008.

2010: Identification of Optimal Travel Routes Between Jaguar Populations

In 2010, optimal routes of travel between core jaguar population units were identified across its range to implement wildlife corridors that connect JCUs.

2010: Jaguar Population Count

In 2010, the estimated jaguar population in Mexico was approximately 4,000 individuals.

August 2012: Land Set Aside for Jaguar Protection in Arizona and New Mexico

In August 2012, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service set aside 3,392.20 km in Arizona and New Mexico for the protection of the jaguar.

2012: Forest Loss in Jaguar Range

Between 2000 and 2012, forest loss in the jaguar range amounted to 83.759 km.

2012: Jaguars Killed by Farmers in Central Belize

Between 2008 and 2012, at least 15 jaguars were killed by livestock farmers in central Belize.

2012: Vagrant Jaguar Recorded in the Santa Rita Mountains

Between 2012 and 2015, a male vagrant jaguar was recorded in 23 locations in the Santa Rita Mountains.

2012: Jaguars Involved in Trade

Seizure reports indicate that at least 857 jaguars were involved in trade between 2012 and 2018, including 482 individuals in Bolivia alone; 31 jaguars were seized in China.

2013: More Cases of Infanticide Documented in the Pantanal

Two more cases of infanticide were documented in the northern Pantanal in 2013.

2014: Jaguars Killed in Panama

Between 1998 and 2014, 220 of 230 jaguars were killed in Panama in retaliation for predation on livestock.

2014: Seizure of Jaguar Fangs Destined for China

Between 2014 and early 2019, 760 jaguar fangs were seized that originated in Bolivia and were destined for China.

2014: Loss of Direct Linkages Between JCUs in Bolivia

By 2014, direct linkages between two JCUs in Bolivia were lost, and two JCUs in northern Argentina became completely isolated due to deforestation.

2015: Vagrant Jaguar Recorded in the Santa Rita Mountains

Between 2012 and 2015, a male vagrant jaguar was recorded in 23 locations in the Santa Rita Mountains.

August 2016: Jaguar Body Parts Sold in Tourist Markets

Between August 2016 and August 2019, jaguar skins and body parts were seen for sale in tourist markets in the Peruvian cities of Lima, Iquitos and Pucallpa.

2016: National Conservation Strategy Published

In 2016, Mexico's national conservation strategy, which had been developed since 2005, was officially published.

2017: Jaguar Considered a Monotypic Taxon

Since 2017, the jaguar has been considered a monotypic taxon, although the modern Panthera onca onca is still distinguished from two fossil subspecies.

2018: Jaguar Population Increase

By 2018, the Mexican jaguar population had grown to about 4,800 individuals, an increase attributed to successful conservation efforts.

2018: Jaguar Range Decline Estimated at 55%

In 2018, it was estimated that the jaguar range had declined by 55% in the last century.

2018: Jaguars Involved in Trade

Seizure reports indicate that at least 857 jaguars were involved in trade between 2012 and 2018, including 482 individuals in Bolivia alone; 31 jaguars were seized in China.

April 2019: Jaguar Recovery Plan Published

The Jaguar Recovery Plan was published in April 2019, in which Interstate 10 is considered to form the northern boundary of the Jaguar Recovery Unit in Arizona and New Mexico.

August 2019: Jaguar Body Parts Sold in Tourist Markets

Between August 2016 and August 2019, jaguar skins and body parts were seen for sale in tourist markets in the Peruvian cities of Lima, Iquitos and Pucallpa.

2024: Jaguars Photographed in the Southwestern US

Between 1996 and 2024, eight jaguars were photographed in the southwestern US.

2024: Validity of Jaguar Subspecies Assignments Remains Unresolved

In 2024, a study suggested that the validity of subspecific assignments on both P. o. augusta and P. o. mesembrina remains unresolved, since both fossil and living jaguars show a considerable variation in morphometry.