Brazilian Research Describes Unprecedented Case of Jaguars Breeding in Captivity

Folha de S.Paulo

Brazilian Research Describes Unprecedented Case of Jaguars Breeding in Captivity

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One of the biggest challenges for the conservation of large endangered animals is to replicate the animal's living conditions in captivity. This is considered the main barrier for the reproduction of animals under care. Researchers from USP (University of Sao Paulo), campus of Ribeirao Preto, Ufscar (Federal University of Sao Carlos), UFTM (Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro) and Associacao Mata Ciliar, in Jundiai (SP), were able to register for the first time a very -successful reproduction of a pair of jaguars and the parental care of the mother for the cubs. The study took place at Associacao Mata Ciliar, where the two jaguars had been since 2015, when they were taken after being rescued by IBAMA agents. Chemistry happened between the two animals and, after a few weeks of living together, the pregnancy of Tabatinga (the female's name) was confirmed. The cubs, one male and one female, were born in 2018.