In May of 2015, the LA Zoo celebrated the opening of a new Jaguar exhibit located in the Rainforest of the Americas. This stunning male Jaguar is one of the residents of the 7,100 square-foot habitat, which was built on a hillside and features a waterfall and pool for the cats to swim in, deadwood trees on which they can climb, and abundant landscaping through which they can wander, such as tall grasses, shrubs, ficus trees and banana plants.

The jaguar is “near threatened.” Since 1900, jaguars have disappeared from over 50% of their range due to persecution by livestock ranchers, degradation of habitat, and human hunting of the jaguar’s prey. In many countries, jaguars are protected, but enforcement is difficult and jaguar skins are still sold on the black market. Wild jaguars live 12 to 15 years. In captivity, jaguars live up to 25 years.

Jaguar