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March 25, 2008

Biologists Fault Fence, Illegal Immigration in Jaguar Decline


"Jaguar biologist Emil McCain stoops over a remote-sensing camera attached to a tree in these rugged mountains a few miles to the north of the Arizona-Mexico border. The researcher is checking for images of a handful of extremely rare jaguars that prowl up from Mexico over mountain trails in some of the wildest country in the southwest, although they are now under threat. Scrolling through images of bobcats and deer snapped by the camera, he explains how the habitat for one of the United States' most elusive predators is being pressured by illegal immigration from Mexico and the controversial remedies sought by the U.S. government to curb it: building fences," Reuters reports. "While jaguars would not die out as a species -- fewer than one percent of their total number live in the United States -- losing this elusive predator would signal a retreat on protecting this fragile borderland wilderness for posterity. 'The jaguar is a great emblem of wildness and an example of a healthy ecosystem,' McCain said."

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Comments

Go back to class biologists, and leave security to the American people who pay you. Get out of the way, in other words.

Posted by: Bobby on March 25, 2008 02:05 PM

GIVE ME A BREAK!

NOTICE THE NAME McCAIN...

Posted by: American Me on March 25, 2008 03:18 PM

Good plan :), Softwarengineer. One percent of the jaguar population vs. 100 percent of America isn't a fair trade. They aren't in jeopardy. We are. And another McCain against borders? What a coincidence.

Build the wall.

Posted by: jeebie on March 25, 2008 03:49 PM

Remember the Spotted Owl? They were so endangered because they were cutting "old growth" trees and they were "the only habitat of the Spotted Owl".

Guess what? We cut the old growth forests and the Spotted Owl found new habitat and now calls other trees "home".

The jaguar would do the same. Animals are much more versitile than we, as humans, give them credit for. They can adapt extremely well.

We need to protect our borders and not the jaguar.

Posted by: Sick 'n Tired on March 25, 2008 04:44 PM

COMMENT: NOW IF I'M READING THIS RIGHT. IS IT THE AMERICANS CROSSING OR THE MEXICANS CROSSING, SINCE I NEVER HEARD OF A ANIMAL KILLING ANYONE, AND IT'S OUR BORDER WE THE PEOPLE WANT TO PROTECT. DON'T START MORE SH*&. WE HAVE ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT.

SUSANM

Posted by: SUSAN MARIANO on March 25, 2008 06:35 PM

Perhaps Ms. McCain (any relations to John?) should first start with the Mexico People. I would say the bullets are doing more damaged to the Jaguars in Mexico than the fence:

from the NYT: “Jaguar poaching is a serious problem in Mexico where laws are not enforced,” said Peter Warshall, a biologist with the project.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/10/science/10jaguar.html?pagewanted=print

ALSO from Sign the Petition:
"Jaguars and Ocelots in danger in Yucatan Mexico.
A group of ranchers offered a reward for the killing of Jaguar that according to them is killing their livestock. Local hunters responded by killing an Ocelot. Locals were glad to hear the news of the killing and hope that the Jaguar is killed too."

Posted by: Peter on March 26, 2008 10:08 AM

Root cause is human population growth combined with illegal alien border crossers. Stop the illegals from crossing the border and the big cats will live undisturbed in their natural habitat. What I don't get is why the environmentalists don't put these two factor together and fight against illegal aliens to save the environment?

Posted by: HAD IT on March 26, 2008 11:15 AM

I have written Mr. Emil McCain and thoughtful and professional email. email emil@borderjag.org

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Dear Mr. McCain:


While the goals and ambition of your organization to protect the jaguar is noble your using illegal immigration as part of your political agenda is unacceptable.

As you know the main enemies and endangerment to Jaguars are a rapid human population growth and hunting. Jaguar’s main problems are bullets and the destruction of their habitat from farmers, ranchers, and poachers.

The jaguars are endangered because it is hunted for its fur, and farmers kill the jaguar because it killed their cattle. Mexican ranches retain a 'tiger hunter' to kill them. Poaching by hunters is still a problem today as there is a great demand for their coats is running high where importation to countries is not prohibited. Hunting for Jaguar has become a high priced Sport (see www.huntjaguar.com). Hunters pay high dollars to track the Jaguar as a trophy animal in Mexico.

The enemy of the Jaguar is not a border fence. The few Jaguars that do cross into the United States for breeding will find a new habitat. Animals are much more versatile then we give them credit for.

True conservation of the Jaguar starts with solving the issue of poaching and destruction of the Jaguar's habitat from farmers and ranchers. There are far MORE Jaguars dying from bullets than there are from a border fence. I am sure your organization can find creative ways to help the Jaguar; rather than using illegal immigration and a border fence as a political agenda of your organization.


Thank you for your time and consideration of my thoughts.

Regards,

Peter XXXXXX

Posted by: Peter on March 26, 2008 11:44 AM

I APOLOGIZE FOR BRINGING UP MAN EATING TIGERS REPLACEMENTS

But you have to admit, ii was kind of funny.

Posted by: Softwarengineer on March 26, 2008 05:58 PM

COMMENT: EVERYONE LOOKS OUT FOR THE ANIMALS,BIRDS, ANTS, ETC.

WHAT ABOUT THE ANIMALS THAT COME IN WITH THE GANGS, DRUGS, WE HAVE TOO MANY ANIMALS NOW.

SUSAN

Posted by: SUSAN MARIANO on March 26, 2008 08:02 PM

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