Jaguars are hardly an "invasive" species in Texas--their original range in the U.S. extended from southern Louisiana to southern California, and there are historical records from Texas as far north as the Red River. Texas Parks and Wildlife lists jaguars as an "extirpated" species--one which once inhabited Texas but which is no longer considered resident. However, there have been a few verified sightings of jaguars in far south Texas in recent years.
Federal protection for the species in the United States has resulted in a flurry of recent sightings in New Mexico and Arizona--and even the re-estalblishment of a couple of resident males in southern Arizona. Networks of trip cameras in southern Arizona now document the comings and goings of occasional wanderers from the breeding population in Tres Rios region of Sonora about 100 miles south of the border. Judging by the number of fresh pelts that turn up from time to time, they are fairly common in Chihuahua, south of us here in the Boot Heel of New Mexico, as well.
Last edited by mudhen; 07/18/18.
