Ecos Seek To Dominate
Southwest Jaguar Plan

SILVER CITY, N.M. — The Jaguar Scientific Advisory Group is not recommending the reintroduction of jaguars to the Southwest.

They are, however, recommending that jaguars be allowed to move across the U.S.-Mexico border naturally. They also are recommending that the Jaguar Habitat Subcommittee continue its modeling efforts, using general categories until specific habitat information is available from Mexico.

According to Tim Snow of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the modeling is based on the Draft Habitat Criteria, as modified in January 1999.

Among other things, Arizona Game and Fish concluded that riparian corridors are important to the jaguar. They include major connective wash complexes, mountain ranges and associated canyons and washes. They added, however, that corridors don't need to meet all the criteria to be considered jaguar corridors.

During the past three years of meetings concerning the jaguar, jaguar habitat in the U.S. has been the most contentious issue. Tony Povolitis, Sierra Institute, and Michael Robinson, Center for Biological Diversity, have been pressing hardest on defining habitat in the U.S.

There is an impression among members that they would like to head up the subcommittee.

"Although we were able to take some of the sting out of the modeling, it is still obvious it will include large chunks of land, and is modeled after the Wildlands Project," says Judy Keeler of the subcommittee. "Although the Jaguar scientists do not recommend reintroducing or captive breeding jaguars for release, the battle is not over. U.S. Fish and Wildlife will seize on the modeling to begin restricting land-use in all the areas that fit the modeling criteria."

(Surprise, surprise! Another excuse for removing livestock from public — and eventually private — land. These people don't miss a trick, which is easy for folks who have nothing constructive to do with their time. — Ed.)