The Center for Biological Diversity is calling on President Obama to ban the capture of jaguars until a species recovery plan is in place, after the death of a rare Arizona jaguar.
Arizona Game and Fish Department officials captured and attached a GPS collar to an endangered jaguar for the first time Feb. 18. "Macho B" was the last known jaguar to be living in the United States. Scientists estimated he was 15-16 years of age, the oldest known wild jaguar.
Former President Bush would not designate critical habitat for the jaguar or work on a recovery plan under the Endangered Species Act, and now the center is asking Obama to do it.
Researchers noticed Macho B wasn't moving around much last weekend, so they recaptured it Monday to see what was wrong, according to a Game and Fish press release. Seeing pronounced kidney failure, they euthanized it.
Kidney failure is common in older cats, the Game and Fish press release added.
The center's press release cited an Arizona Daily Star story that interviewed Dr. Dean Rice, the Phoenix Zoo's executive vice president and a veterinarian who treated the jaguar.
The story quoted Rice saying that the sedative researchers used twice on the jaguar could have had a negative effect on its already-failing kidneys. Medical experts commonly advise caution before using anesthesia on older animals.
A zoo spokesperson said Thursday that the center's press release was incorrect, and Rice was headed to Tucson with Game and Fish officials to conduct a press conference.
The zoo spokesperson did not provide more details before press time.
- Photo Galleries: Prescott area snow storm Feb. 21, 2019
- Storm forecast puts Prescott on watch with snowfall of 15 to 27 inches predicted
- Update: Highways closed in northern Arizona, I-17 northbound closed at State Route 179
- Snowstorm prompts declaration of emergency by City of Prescott
- UPDATE: Latest prediction is 14 to 23 inches of snow in quad-city area
- National Weather Service warns of major winter storm approaching Prescott, Prescott Valley area
- Winter weather, disabled vehicles close I-40, US 93 in Kingman
- Updated snow storm status report from City of Prescott, Feb. 22
- Updated highway closure list from ADOT
- City of Prescott Mayor signs Proclamation of Emergency, see status reports
- Why are flags at half-staff today, Feb. 9, 2019
- Teenager killed while crossing Spouse Drive in Prescott Valley
- Storm forecast puts Prescott on watch with snowfall of 15 to 27 inches predicted
- Young Prescott man arrested for sexual assault of teen
- National Weather Service warns of major winter storm approaching Prescott, Prescott Valley area
- Multiple pedestrians struck by cars in downtown Prescott on Thursday
- UPDATE: Latest prediction is 14 to 23 inches of snow in quad-city area
- Local fire departments frustrated with Life Line response times
- Prescott home total loss in difficult firefight
- Yabba- Dabba-Done! - Fred, Wilma and the gang bid farewell as Bedrock City closes after 47 years
More like this story
SUBMIT FEEDBACK
Click Below to:
Community Calendar | |
---|---|
SAT
23
|
Aztlan Lodge #1, F.&A.M. Family Breakfast
|
SAT
23
|
Family Storytime
|
SUN
24
|
Prescott International Folkdancers
|
TUE
26
|
Technology Help Hour
|
TUE
26
|
Music For Those With Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia
|
View More Events...
|
|
This Week's Circulars
To view money-saving ads...