A 7-month-old female jaguar, saved from wildlife trafficking, finds a new home at the Audubon Zoo.
The New Orleans Audubon Zoo has welcomed a 7-month-old female jaguar rescued from wildlife trafficking, as announced by zoo officials. The jaguar was saved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and at the request of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the zoo stepped in to care for her due to its expertise and resources in housing jaguars. The animal arrived at the zoo on October 14.
“This rescue effort was an amazing example of how zoos, government agencies, and conservationists work together for the greater good,” said Liz Wilson, the zoo’s Curator of Primates, in a statement. “She is adjusting well to her new environment.”
The Audubon Zoo already houses one male jaguar, named Valerio. In preparation for the new arrival, the zoo staff enhanced the habitat with additional climbing and jumping platforms. Visitors can now view the female jaguar in her updated enclosure.
Jaguars are classified as “near threatened” with only around 15,000 remaining in the wild, facing threats from poaching, human-wildlife conflicts, and habitat loss.