Jaguar (
Panthera onca)
Care Manual
34
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
one animal’s tongue was so severely injured that the animal bled to death (S. Deem, personal
communication, 2007). Jaguars are very possessive, and once they are in possession of something, they
are difficult to get to disengage. They are also extremely strong, and can bite through mesh as heavy as
9-gauge chain link (S. Johnson, personal communication, 2014).
Keeper interaction through safe feeding, vocalization, limited tactile behavior, and
operant
conditioning develops a positive exchange with a cat, and this should be considered an integral part of
this relationship. Operant conditioning and protected contact training methods appropriate to many other
species also work well with jaguars. Safety for animals and trainers must be paramount in any
interaction. The following considerations apply to all activity conducted in proximity to jaguars. Animal
managers should establish safe access to the night house prior to entry. An accurate animal count should
be performed before proceeding with daily husbandry procedures. Primary containment and hot-wire
inspection should be performed daily. Animal transfers may utilize shift corridors that incorporate restraint
devices, scales, and holding units for daily procedures. Cleaning and sanitation procedures can then be
performed on the holding areas. Maintenance repairs to the holding areas should be performed while
animals are on display. Staff members should be aware of animal locations and the status of locks at all
times during animal husbandry procedures.
5.3 Introductions and Reintroductions
Managed care for and reproduction of animals housed in AZA-accredited institutions are dynamic
processes. Animals born in or moved between and within institutions require introduction and sometimes
reintroductions to other animals. It is important that all introductions are conducted in a manner that is
safe for all animals and humans involved.
Most large felids are solitary in nature except during periods of breeding activity. As a result, extreme
caution and patience is recommended during introductions to facilitate pairings. Compatibility between
animals can be achieved through extended controlled introductions in a night house
shift area or adjacent
enclosure which allow auditory, olfactory, and visual contact but prevent actual physical contact. By
utilizing such “howdy” barriers, an introduction schedule can be set up over a period of days or weeks to
gradually reduce barriers until the animals are introduced into the same space. Safe measures to
separate the cats such as water hoses, CO
2
fire extinguishers, or air horns are
recommended to be
available in case of aggression.
Further olfactory contact can be provided by allowing each animal out into the exhibit on alternate
days. This allows each cat to be aware and investigate the presence of another jaguar nearby through
olfactory recognition of marked spots and other deposits in the exhibit. Introductions of males and
females can be timed to coincide with estrus in the female. Indicators of estrus include restlessness,
increased vocalizations, neck-rubbing on items within the exhibit, the female rolling on her back or pacing,
and the display of the lordosis posture (Stehlik, 1971).
Multiple staff members should be
present during an introduction, and at least one member of the
team is strongly recommended to have previous experience introducing jaguars. Staff should be stationed
around the outside of the exhibit with CO
2
fire extinguishers, air horns, and water hoses in case the
animals need to be separated. Keep in mind that deaths have occurred during jaguar introductions, and
some aggression is normal. However, prolonged or intense physical aggression should be prevented. A
time limit can be established for aggressive interactions before attempts are made to separate the cats.
Aggression initiated by the female may be allowed for a longer period of time as long as no serious
injuries occur to the male.
Females should be provided with access to the exhibit prior to the male being introduced. Introduced
jaguars should be monitored continuously throughout their first day together on exhibit. Fire extinguishers
and water hoses should also be kept in easily accessible locations for the first week thereafter. Housing
the animals separately when off exhibit (e.g., at night) may be necessary for a longer period due to the
smaller size of night quarters (AZA Jaguar SSP Management Group and Advisors, personal
communication, 2014).
Jaguar (
Panthera onca)
Care Manual
35
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Chapter 6. Nutrition
6.1 Nutritional Requirements
A formal nutrition program is required to meet the
nutritional
and behavioral needs of all jaguars (AZA Accreditation Standard
2.6.2). Diets should be developed using the recommendations of
nutritionists, the AZA Nutrition Scientific Advisory Group (NAG)
feeding guidelines (
http://nagonline.net/guidelines-aza-
institutions/feeding-guidelines/
), and veterinarians as well as AZA
Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs), and Species Survival Plan
®
(SSP) Programs. Diet formulation criteria should address the
animal’s nutritional needs, feeding ecology, as well as individual
and natural histories to ensure that species-specific feeding patterns and behaviors are stimulated. This
chapter was written by the AZA Jaguar SSP Nutrition Advisors with support from the management group
and other advisors.
Jaguars may be active two-thirds of the day or more if feeding. Unlike the other felids in the
neotropics, jaguars utilize all areas including forest, river, and lake edges during all times of the day
(Emmons, 1987). In general, they may be considered opportunistic predators. Jaguars will walk
extensively until they encounter prey (Emmons, 1987). Similar to most other Felidae, they obtain prey by
stalking or ambushing. Their diet is diverse and dependent on geographic location. Prey size can range
from small (less than 1–2 kg [2.2–4.4 lb]) to large (greater than 10–15 kg [22–33 lb]), but most prey are
greater than 1–2 kg (2.2–4.4 lb) (Emmons, 1987; Rabinowitz & Nottingham, 1986; Lopez Gonzalez &
Miller, 2002; Cascelli de Azevedo, 2006). Prey species in the wild commonly include capybara
(
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), caiman (
Caiman crocodilus and
C. yacare), side-necked turtles
(
Podocnemis vogli and
Podocnemis unifilis), collared peccary (
Tayassu tajacu), white lipped peccary
(
Tayassu pecari), armadillos (
Dasypus novemcinctus), paca (
Agouti paca), and coati (
Nasua nasua)
(Guggisberg, 1975; Schaller & Vasconcelos, 1978; Mondolfi & Hoogesteijn, 1982; Novack
., 2003; Weckel
et al., 2006; Salom-Perez
et al., 2007; Cascelli de Azevedo & Murray, 2007, Polisar
et al., 2003). When
feeding, a jaguar may stay with
a prey item one to three days, move prey items, or abandon the prey
shortly after obtaining it. Depending on prey size, there may be several days between feeds. Six kills
were seen in a period of 35 days for one individual. (Schaller & Crawshaw, 1980). Many items are entirely
consumed. Feet, hooves, bone pieces up to 4.4 cm (1.7 in.), and armadillo and anteater (
Tamandua
mexicana) claws have all been observed in the feces. Exceptions include the skulls, the
larger bones,
digestive tracts, and the carapaces of turtles and armadillos (Emmons, 1987; Rabinowitz & Nottingham,
1986). Field biologists commonly use 34 g (1.2 oz) of prey required per kilogram body weight to assess
suitability of habitat for maintaining jaguars (Novack, 2003, Polisar
et al., 2003).
The jaguar has a wide variety of opportunistic prey that composes its diet. See Tables 6 and 7.
AZA Accreditation Standard
(2.6.2) The institution must follow a
written nutrition program that meets the
behavioral and nutritional needs of all
species, individuals, and colonies/groups
in the institution. Animal diets must be of
a quality and quantity suitable for each
animal’s nutritional and psychological
needs.