MEXICO-JAGUARS Twin jaguar cubs born in Mexico at Oaxaca zoo

Record ID: 144603

  • Title: MEXICO-JAGUARS Twin jaguar cubs born in Mexico at Oaxaca zoo
  • Date: 7th August 2015
  • Summary: LAGUNAS, OAXACA, MEXICO (AUGUST 06, 2015) (REUTERS) LAGOON AREA NEAR ANIMAL RESERVE VARIOUS OF JAGUAR CUBS IN PEN (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ANIMAL KEEPER AT RESERVE, FERNANDO CABRERA CELAYA, SAYING: "It's not common that they're born in captivity. Thanks to God for the care that he gave us and for the separation because the male (jaguar father) could have eaten them because th
  • Embargoed: 22nd August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA20JCZTPGHAK9PP56YMRPHRSHR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: An animal reserve in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca has two adorable new additions, little jaguar cubs born and reared in captivity Thursday (August 6).
    Located in Lagunas, Oaxaca, the cubs are reportedly in good health and are approaching 5 months old. They were born in late February, with a third cub stillborn.
    But the cubs were separated from their father shortly after birth fearing the jealous male might kill them.
    "It's not common that they're born in captivity. Thanks to God for the care that he gave us and for the separation because the male (jaguar father) could have eaten them because the (male) jaguar is very jealous, he just wants the female all for himself," said animal keeper, Fernando Cabrera Celaya.
    The cubs parents, Pancho and Fiona, were rescued by Mexican environmental authorities in the state. The pair were being hunted by local farmers for killing farm animals.
    Habitat loss and overhunting are the biggest threats to the rare cats in Mexico.
    "Mainly because of the destruction of their habitat and natural food which is forest animals, the jaguar has had to go down to the villages and towns to eat cattle like cows. People feel that they are the enemy because of this situation so it is an endangered species precisely because it is hunted by humans to preserve forms of wealth like cattle," said Juan Abel Dolores, education officer at the reserve.
    According to Mexico's Alliance for the Conversation of the Jaguar, only an estimated 400 jaguars remain in the wild. The vast majority are held on reserves and in captivity.
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