Jaguars need accommodations for when the temperature drops below 10ºC or exceeding 29.4ºC, but can adapt well to humidity. Indoor humidity should be 30-50%.

To keep up with these guidelines, institutions should provide:

• Water features (strongly recommended)

• Heat sources

• Adequate shelter

• Adequate ventilation

• Indoor/Outdoor exhibits should be considered

Light

Light should provide unrestricted viewing of the animals and staff for safety at all times

• Fluorescent lighting

• Full Spectrum UV bulbs

• Natural Skylights

Sound

• loud noises and unusual activity should be limited to prevent stress

Water and Air Quality

• Proper ventilation is required

  • glass barriers and separate ventilation systems between exhibits and public areas

• Water features should be clean enough to be a drinking source

  • filtration system, or drained and sanitized on regular basis

Species-appropriate behavior:

The space should accommodate a Jaguars natural behaviors

• Climbing structures

• Various high nesting sites

• Pools

• Plenty of natural cover

Enclosure Size:

50% of additional space should be provided for each additional animal

• Outdoors: no less than 91.4 square meters

• Indoors: no less than 6.1m x 4.6m, with a minimum height of 2.4m

Enclosure Complexity:

The space should be provided with complexity to ensure a less psychologically vulnerable position

• high resting areas

• visual barriers for the animal to feel hidden

Water Sources:

• at least one water source should be provided: pools, ponds, waterfalls, streams

Enclosure Substrate:

Naturalistic exhibits are optimal. Example:

• rocks, bamboo, trees, wooden benches, shelves, ropes, cave, hammock, plants, vines, etc.

Cleaning:

• Daily inspection of exhibit to remove fecal material, waste products and enrichment items

• Animal care staff should never enter an enclosure with a jaguar

Holding Areas:

• Every animal should have its own holding area that can be used while animals are off-exhibit for maintenance or cleaning

• Equipment must provide: adequate containment, life support, comfort, temperature, food and water, and safety

• Crates must provide adequate space, but not too large to prevent injuries

  • Vents must not be too large so the animal can escape or injure themselves

• Transports should be planned to ensure the fastest route is taken

• Housing a single jaguar is ideal, but many jaguars appear more content with a mate

• Some same-sex groups can be maintained together as long as their individual behavior is compatible

• Introducing animals in a way that is safe for the animal is crucial

• In the wild their diet may include: Capybara, Caiman, Turtle, Deer, and many other species

Energy Requirements for Adult Jaguars:

• 119-139 kcal/kg of body weight per day

Diet:

Formulation, preparation and delivery of all diet must be of the quality and quantity to meet the Jaguars needs.

• meat mixes, whole prey, bones, carcasses and muscle meat diets balanced with supplements

Enrichment Foods:

• enrichment foods can be provided to promote hunting and feeding behaviors

• Institutions must have holding facilities or procedures for quarantine of newly arrived animals or for sick/injured animals

Preventative Medicine:

• institution should be prepared for disease outbreaks

• Regular preventative medicine should be implemented:

  • physical examination including body weight, temperature, pulse, respiration, nail and pad evaluation, dental exams, whole body exam for abscesses and lacerations

• Regular vaccines and boosters should be given

• AI has not been successful in Jaguars, but introduction of a new male following estrus has been successful

• Pregnant Jaguars must be managed in ways that reduce stress to the mother.

• Birthing Jaguars should be isolated and be kept comfortable

• Following the birth of cubs, human interaction should be limited at first

• Training

• Enrichment

• Positive Staff-Animal Interactions

• Use of Known Methodologies

Section 1

Fall 2024