Zookeepers watch for possible jaguar cubs
There may be more babies on the way at The Living Desert. The zoo’s jaguar Magia is on maternity watch, according to President/CEO Allen Monroe.
Magia has been at The Living Desert for a little over three years. She was just a cub when she arrived from Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas. Monroe said the father-to-be, Memo, is almost three years old and was rescued from a facility in Panama in June of 2013.
“These two jaguars were brought together as part of the Species Survival Plan,” said Monroe. “We are excited about the possibility of them having cubs and should be able to confirm her status in the next week. With a first time Mom, we are cautious but optimistic that Magia’s natural instincts will help things go smoothly.”
Zookeeper Facts:
Jaguar’s gestation lasts between 90 and 110 days
Mother can give birth to one to five cubs, but more commonly have two to three
Jaguars separate after mating and females provide all the parenting
Mother won’t tolerate presence of adult males until cubs are on their own at about 18 months
Jaguars are largest cats native to the Americas and the only ‘roaring’ cat in North America
Weigh from 100 to 250 lbs. and are up to six feet in body length, not including tail
Jaguar’s coat color ranges from pale yellow to reddish brown, with a much paler underbelly
Distinctive black spots are called ‘rosettes’
Very rarely seen in the wild and live solitary predatory lifestyles
On the U.S. endangered species list
Major threats in the wild are habitat loss and fragmentation of wild areas along with human persecution
More information about The Living Desert
Photos of Living Desert’s new baby giraffe
The Living Desert is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission for adults is $17.25; Seniors and Military $15.75; Children 3-12 $8.75; Children under 3 are Free.
