Researchers have confirmed the sighting of a new jaguar in southern Arizona, marking a significant moment for the recovery of this endangered species. The unique rosette pattern on the animal's fur, akin to a human fingerprint, allowed scientists to identify it as a new individual after reviewing images from a remote camera. This jaguar is the fifth big cat recorded in the area over the past 15 years, having crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. The University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center reported that the jaguar was photographed visiting a watering hole in November. Susan Malusa, director of the center's jaguar and ocelot project, expressed enthusiasm about the sighting. "We’re very excited. It signifies this edge population of jaguars continues to come here because they’re finding what they need," she said in an interview. The research team is currently collecting scat samples to conduct genetic analysis. This will help determine the sex of the new jaguar and provide insights into its diet, which may include skunks, javelina, and small deer. Malusa noted that the presence of jaguars in the region indicates a healthy ecosystem. However, she warned that climate change and border barriers pose threats to their migratory routes. "Warming temperatures and significant drought increase the urgency to ensure connectivity for jaguars with their historic range in Arizona," Malusa explained. The jaguar's primary habitat is in Central and South America, with only a few males spotted in the U.S., believed to have migrated from populations in Mexico. Federal biologists have indicated that there has been no documented breeding of jaguars in the U.S. for over a century. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified habitat loss, fragmentation, and illegal hunting as major threats to the species. In response to a legal challenge, the agency revised the designated habitat for jaguars in 2024, reducing it to approximately 1,000 square miles across Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise counties in Arizona. Detection data suggests that jaguars appear in the area every few years, with their movements often linked to the availability of water. Malusa noted that when food and water are abundant, jaguars tend to move less. In the case of this new jaguar, referred to as Jaguar #5, it was notable that the animal returned to the same area over a 10-day period. "That’s the message — that this species is recovering," Malusa stated. "We want people to know that and that we still do have a chance to get it right and keep these corridors open."