Demarcated Landscapes mourns another biological opinion issued by the US Fish & Wildlife Service late last week disregarding the effects of the US-Mexican border wall on jaguar migration. It has been hoped that a population may cross. The wall effectively cuts off two known corridors for jaguar migration along the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge and the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.
Check out Brady McCombs piece in the Arizona Dialy star ~ New border fence (sic) rising
For some good photos of the jaguar sighted in Southern Arizona check out the Arizona Game & Fish page here.
I lived in Bisbee for awhile and own a plot on the southern-most tip of the Chiricauhua Mountains. I’ve been looking forward to taking my sons to explore among the elusive jaguars and the sunsets ~ another piece of the natural world dashed by political expediency and an egregious disregard for a scientifically informed process.
Comments
So true, no one in the “mainstream world” ever thinks about the ecological consequences of their actions.
It may be that the only hope for jaguar having habitat in this country is in the Big Bend region of Texas called the Trans boundary Mega Corridor. There are 6 protected areas, in excess of 2.5 million acres, on both sides of the border known as El Carmen-Big Bend area that represents the largest protected parcel of the Chihuahaun Desert. The country is so rugged that even the “Ship of Fools” who are making decisions about border fences would consider this area safe from normal illegal migration.
In the 1980,s the “Mexican Black Bear” recolonized Big Bend NP & I assume, has spread to the adjacent Texas State park. Jaguars, in the past, have been seen in this area.
It seems that the tide is running against the jaguar and the other wildlife of the SW. How sad is it that the “solution” to the problem is to build an ugly wall? Hmm, when the Soviets did that in Berlin in the 60’s they were roundly condemned and yet the construction continues at a rapid pace. Kiss the jaguar goodbye if this monstrosity does through.
My first thought about the jaguar article was that it wasa great idea. Although I wonder how or which would fair better in the area:coyote, wolf, mountion lion og jag. Then I remembered the fence being built which reallhampers access. Anyone know how the Texas bears a faring?
Chrisj: If you are referring to the blacks bears in Big Bend National Park there are currently an estimated 8 to 12 bears w/a potential carrying capcity of 25 to 30 in the 800 thousand acre park. In additon there is a 350 thousand acre state park to the west & a 100 thousand acre Black Gap Wildlife Refuge to the east that may also provide excellent habitat. In addition there are 2 large “protected areas” (one million acres) in Mexico, immediately across the border, that I assume was where the bears migrated from. There is an international group, on both sides of the border, than are jointly working to protect this area. The money from the Mexican side of the border that is working to protect these lands is none other than Cemix, a Mexican cement corporation.
Thanks for the info Monty. I have not been to Big Bend in about 25 years. Potentially, I suppose a corridor could be linked to the Guadalupes where there are bears. Those bears, from Guadeloupe are probably from the Lincoln N.F. Two of the least visited but beautiful National Parks. The Emory Peak Trail in B.B. and Guadeloupe PeaK/El Capitan trail(s) in G.M.N.P., are awesome with a decent chance of solitude.
“Any jaguar, butterfly, deer or other life form that cannot make it over a 12-foot fence needs to be eliminated from the gene pool,” said Stoddard.
Then what is the point of a fence?If hispanics make it over the fence, the fence is worthless, as it not performing its’ role. If they can’t make it over the fence then maybe we should just settle the problem and nuke Mexico. Then we don’t need a fence. But wait, Stoddard is retired and apparently older -can he make over the fence?
the fence is a wall.
Given the current political climate in this country I am becoming more concerned about these walls keeping me inside and preventing my escape…………
I agree with Skyrim, if we have to suffer another GOP president, I may want to join the jaguars in the Sierra Madres. Monty, you aid jaguars have neen spotted in the past in Texas.. Do you know the details of when and where? Would be interesting to know..
That Stoddard guy is such a blow-hard, humans are the ONLY animals besides brids that would have a good chance of circumventing the wall. Maybe we can build a wall around Scottsdale and trick GOP leaders in there with offers of free golf and resource depleting developments.
Chrisj & Doug: There was a Jaguar shot on the Mexican side of the border (across from Big Bend NP) more than a decade ago. And since that time, the situation on the Mexian side of the border has been improving. Pronghorn antelope and Desert Bighorn have been re-established & there is a very healthy cougar population. A group of Mexican hunters have agreed to stop hunting black bears (of course poaching still occurs) & the reason I say that the bears came from Mexico & not Texas is that park service folks have seen bears crossing the Rio Grande. In addition the best bear habitat, in the immediate area, is in the Madres Del Carmen mountains of Mexico that has a lot more high country than the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend NP. The Guadalope Mountains of Texas are a minimum of 200 miles to the northwest while the Madre Del Carmen are immediately across the border. One reason that the potential bear carrying capacity of Big Bend is so low, ( 25 to 30) is that the majority of the park is desert that favors lions and jaguars where there are 3 species of deer, Bighorn & antelope &, of course the wild pig ( I forget how to spell the pigs name). Big Bend is a special place, and admist all of the negative environmental issues it is encouraging to see that there are people, on both sides of the border, that have vision. PS: One other bit of good news, on the Mexican side there is discussion ongoing about Cimex purchasing additional lands to be protected.
Great Monty, thanks for the info!
Great info thanks Monty!
Monte,
Can you say why Cemix is trying to protect habitat? Do they really care or do they have an alterior motive?
Monte: I have to take Cimex at face value. There is a group, including Texas & Mexican Biologists, who reguarley meet to discuss the “international peace park”. They are even discussiong such wild ideas–that I think is unrealistic–of reintroducing the grizzly & buffalo. The good news–why this project might succeed–is that the country is so stark & rugged, that endemic wildlife are the only critters “rawhide” tough enough to survive in this country. Plus the 4 protected areas in Texas (4th being the Wild Scenic Rio Grande River corridor) are there to stay. Plus this is the wildest part of Texas where large ranches are adjacent to the protected areas– that also provide habitat. Well I have probably said enough about this subject & will stop. Thanks for the interest.