Jaguar (
Panthera onca)
Care Manual
26
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Chapter 3. Records
3.1 Definitions
In the zoo and aquarium world, animal records are defined as “data, regardless of physical form or
medium, providing information about individual animals, samples or parts thereof, or groups of animals”.
Most animals in zoo and aquarium collections are recorded as (referred to as) individuals, though some
types of animals are recorded as (referred to as) groups or colonies of animals, particularly with
invertebrates and in aquariums (see Appendix B for definitions and Recordkeeping Guidelines for Group
Accessions). The decision about how to record its animals usually resides with each institution, but in
certain cases, the AZA Animal Program Leader (i.e., TAG Chair, SSP Coordinator, or Studbook Keeper)
may request that animals be
recorded in a certain manner, whether as individuals or as groups.
Jaguars are solitary, aside from mothers with dependent offspring, rarely housed in groups larger
than three animals. Thus, it is most appropriate and effective to keep separate records for each individual
animal. The AZA Jaguar SSP and North American Regional Studbook manage
Panthera onca to the
species level, not splitting to sub-species. Reports requested from institutions are most frequently for
individual animals’ specimen reports or histories and taxon reports which consist of summary lists of birth,
death, disposition, and acquisition of all jaguars at an institution within a defined date range. These
reports are utilized in updating studbook information and to create the periodic breeding and transfer plan.
3.2 Types of Records
There are many types of records kept for the animals in our
care, including but not limited to, veterinary, husbandry, behavior,
enrichment, nutrition and collection management. These
types of
records may be kept as separate records, as logs in separate
locations, or as part of the collection records and some may be
required by regulating agencies (e.g., primate enrichment records)
or per AZA Accreditation Standards (e.g., emergency drill
records).
Recordkeeping is an important element of animal care and
ensures that information about individual animals or groups of
animals is always available. The institution must show evidence of
having a zoological records management program for managing
animal records, veterinary records, and other relevant
information
(
AZA Accreditation Standard 1.4.0). These records contain
important information about an individual animal or group of
animals, including but not limited to taxonomic name, transaction
history, parentage, identifiers, gender, weights, enclosure
locations and moves, and reproductive status (see Appendix C for
Guidelines for Creating and Sharing Animal and Collection
Records).
A designated staff member must be
responsible for
maintaining the animal record-keeping system and for conveying
relevant laws and regulations to the animal care staff (AZA
Accreditation Standard 1.4.6). Recordkeeping must be accurate
and current (AZA Accreditation Standard 1.4.7). Complete and up-
to-date animal and veterinary records must be duplicated and
stored at a separate location (AZA Accreditation Standard 1.4.4)
and at least one set of historical records safely stored and
protected (AZA Accreditation Standard 1.4.5). No additional
recordkeeping beyond best professional practice, as outlined in
this chapter, is required for jaguars.
Since many types of information are maintained in AZA
institutions, the term collection and/or transaction records are
used in this chapter to specify the main animal records.
Animal transaction confirmation documents (and
breeding loan
AZA Accreditation Standard
(1.4.6) A paid staff member must be
designated as being responsible for the
institution's animal record-keeping
system. That person must be charged
with establishing and maintaining the
institution's animal records, as well as
with keeping all paid and unpaid animal
care staff members apprised of relevant
laws and regulations regarding the
institution's animals.
AZA Accreditation Standard
(1.4.7) Animal and veterinary records
must be kept current.
AZA Accreditation Standard
(1.4.4) Animal records and veterinary
records, whether in electronic or paper
form, must be duplicated and stored in a
separate location. Animal records are
defined as data, regardless of physical
form or medium, providing information
about individual animals, or samples or
parts thereof, or groups of animals.
AZA Accreditation Standard
(1.4.5) At least one set of the institution’s
historical animal and veterinary records
must be stored and protected. Those
records should include permits, titles,
declaration forms, and other pertinent
information.
AZA Accreditation Standard
(1.4.0) The institution must show
evidence of having a zoological records
management program for managing
animal records, veterinary records, and
other relevant information.
Jaguar (
Panthera onca)
Care Manual
27
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
agreements, where applicable) should be maintained for all animals entering the collection by means
other than birth or leaving the collection by means other than death. This applies not only to live animals,
but to living and non-living biomaterials (other than samples for health testing) derived from those
animals. These documents contain the terms and
conditions of transactions, should be signed by both
parties to the transaction (except invoices), and kept at the institutions as proof of legal possession or
ownership and compliance with applicable laws.
AZA member institutions must inventory their jaguar
population at least annually and document all jaguar acquisitions,
transfers, euthanasias, and reintroductions (AZA Accreditation
Standard 1.4.1). All jaguars owned by an AZA institution must be
listed on the inventory, including those animals on loan to and
from the institution (AZA Accreditation Standard 1.4.2). All AZA-
accredited institutions must abide by the AZA Policy on
Responsible Population Management (Appendix D) and the long-
term welfare of animals should be considered in all acquisition,
transfer, euthanasia, and reintroduction decisions.
Transaction forms should help document that potential
recipients or providers of the animals adhere to the AZA Code of Professional Ethics, and all relevant
AZA and member policies, procedures and guidelines. In addition, transaction
forms should ensure
compliance with the applicable laws and regulations of local, state, federal, and international authorities.
Recordkeeping requirements apply to all jaguars at the institution, including the main collection and, if
applicable, research and rehabilitation collections. See Appendix G for sample forms that are typically
used with jaguars for daily reporting, acquisitions, and dispositions.
3.3 Permit Considerations
The jaguar is regulated by federal and/or state governments. Therefore, possession and/or specific
activities involving this species usually requires a permit(s) issued by the regulating agency, granting
permission for possession and/or the specific activities. Depending
on the agency involved, the
application and approval process may take a few days to many months. These permits must be received
by the applicant before the proposed possession or activity can occur.
The jaguar is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Thus, international transport is regulated under the US Fish and Wildlife
Service’s Division of Management Authority. Acquiring an import or export permit is a complex and
lengthy process which also involves the CITES authority in the country of origin or destination. At least a
year before a transport should be allotted to establish communication, collect data, and process any
applications.
The jaguar is listed as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. However, as a native
North American species, the jaguar is not covered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Captive-bred
Wildlife Registration program for endangered species. Transporting or transferring jaguars within the
United States does not require a federally-issued permit. Possession, management, and
transportation of
the species also falls under the
ex situ wildlife management regulations of most state wildlife agencies.
These regulations vary widely from state to state, and it is important to consult the appropriate agency law
enforcement division for complete information.
Experienced members of the AZA Jaguar SSP are often able and willing to advise and support
facilities through the permitting process, but it is each institution’s responsibility to obtain the necessary
permits for conducting work with jaguars.
3.4 Identification
Ensuring that jaguars are identifiable through various means increases the ability to care for
individuals more effectively. All animals held at AZA facilities must be individually identifiable whenever
practical, and have corresponding identification (ID) numbers. For animals maintained in colonies or
groups, or other animals not considered readily identifiable, institutions must have a procedure for
identification of and recording information about these groups or colonies (AZA Accreditation Standard
AZA Accreditation Standard
(1.4.1) An animal inventory must be
compiled at least once a year and include
data
regarding acquisition, transfer,
euthanasia, release, and reintroduction.
AZA Accreditation Standard
(1.4.2) All species owned by the
institution must be listed on the inventory,
including those animals on loan to and
from the institution.