Jaguarundi
Endangered Species
Background Information
Threats or Causes for Extinction/Endangerment
Possible Courses of Action for Protection
Though the jaguarundi has been listed as endangered in the U.S. since 1976, it has been all but forgotten. Habitat loss is widely recognized as the most serious threat to the jaguarundi, but the FWS has never designated critical habitat, never written a recovery plan specific to the jaguarundi, and has failed to allocate adequate funds towards jaguarundi habitat acquisition. Currently, the jaguarundi is relying on small islands of suitable habitat surrounded by vast expanses of agriculture and urban lands. Critical habitat designation could safeguard both occupied and unoccupied habitat necessary to jaguarundi survival and recovery. Protection of unoccupied habitat would ensure that jaguarundi populations could expand and connect to each other. Species with critical habitat designations are twice as likely to recover as those without. WildEarth Guardians has ensured FWS will develop a recovery plan for the jaguarundi and is fighting hard to get critical habitat designated for this rare cat
Works Cited
"Jaguarundi Facts." Big Cat Rescue, 15 Mar. 2015. Web. 9 Dec. 2015.
"Jaguarundi Herpailurus Yagouaroundi." Wild Earth Guardians, n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2015.