Take a Picture

Capturing wildlife on film can influence the extent to which a species is protected.

It was the quick reflexes of Warner Glenn, a rancher who in 1996 snapped the first photos ever taken of a wild jaguar in the mountains of Arizona, that sparked a closer examination of the status of jaguars in the U.S.-México borderlands. Subsequent photos taken by motion-activated automatic cameras used to photograph wildlife led to the discovery of the Aros-Yaqui population of jaguars in Sonora, México and the need to protect them.

Yet it tends to be those unexpected shots taken by nature-loving citizens that send shockwaves through the scientific world.

Keep your camera, camcorder, or cell phone handy the next time you're out walking – or just gazing into your backyard. You never know when the photo you take will save a species.

Be a Jaguar Guardian

Providing safe passage for jaguars back into the U.S. is as easy as resolving human-wildlife conflict.

Beyond the boundaries of sanctuaries, jaguars must navigate dangerous territory in their quest for food, water and mates. Second only to habitat loss, hunting by ranchers protecting their livestock is the leading cause of jaguar mortality in México. Regrettably those few animals that do make it as far as the U.S.-México border must still contend with the development of border infrastructure such as roadways and brightly lit fence lines. Although not designed to be wildlife deterrents, these barriers will be just that… diverting weary jaguars back to the land from whence they came.

How can you help? Garnering public support for wildlife conservation efforts is one of the most valuable contributions you can make. Just as "Jaguar Guardians" work to raise local awareness of jaguar conservation needs, you can work to raise awareness of the need to protect the ecology of our international borders while securing the safety of two countries.

Protect Private Land

Throughout the United States ranchers are finding ways to peacefully coexist with wildlife that shares their land.

The Malpai Borderlands Group, a nonprofit formed by Arizona and New Mexico ranchers in 1993, has achieved remarkable success in rallying ranchers around the concept of preserving habitat while still maintaining profitable operations. The sustainable land use practices adhered to by members of the Malpai Group have protected 800,000 acres of fragile desert landscape – which means the chances jaguars crossing into the United States in this region will find suitable habitat are greatly increased.

The traditional conservation easement, which simply protects your property from ever being developed, may be something for you to consider if you own land and are looking for ways to preserve habitat. Private land protection goes a long way in saving species.