Where in the world would you find a jaguar?

Panthera onca sp. Its present range extends from Mexico, through Central America and into South America, including much of Amazonian Brazil. The countries with sanctuaries include Belize, Mexico, Brazil and Peru. The jaguar is now extinct in El Salvador and Uruguay.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the jaguar's range extended as far north as the Grand Canyon, and as far west as Southern California. By the late 1960s, Jaguars were believed extinct north of Mexico. However, starting in 1996, independent sightings confirmed jaguars still reached as far north as Arizona and New Mexico. These Jaguars are believed to be visitors from Northern Mexico populations.

For any permanent population to thrive in the US, Jaguars must have protection from killing, an adequate prey base, and a connection to their Mexican populations are critical. With the implementation of the United States--Mexico barrier, the viability of any Jaguar population will reduce gene flow with Mexican populations, and prevent any further northward expansion for the species.