Jaguar (
Panthera onca)
Care Manual
5
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
9.3
Staff and Animal Interactions
...................................................................................................... 66
9.4 Staff Skills and Training
................................................................................................................ 67
Chapter 10. Ambassador Animals ........................................................................................................... 68
10.1 Ambassador Animal Policy
........................................................................................................ 68
Chapter 11. Research ............................................................................................................................... 69
11.1 Known Methodologies
................................................................................................................ 69
11.2
Future Research Needs
............................................................................................................. 71
Chapter 12. Other Considerations ........................................................................................................... 72
12.1 Surplus Animals
.......................................................................................................................... 72
12.2 Additional Information
................................................................................................................. 72
Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................. 73
References ................................................................................................................................................. 74
Appendix A: Accreditation Standards by Chapter ................................................................................ 84
Appendix B: Recordkeeping Guidelines for Group Accessions.......................................................... 89
Appendix C: Guidelines for Creating and Sharing Animal and Collection Records.......................... 93
Appendix D: AZA Policy on Responsible Population Management .................................................... 96
Appendix E: Recommended Quarantine Procedures ......................................................................... 106
Appendix F: Ambassador (Program) Animal Policy and Position Statement .................................. 108
Appendix G: Sample Forms Used With Jaguars ................................................................................. 112
Appendix H: Body Condition Scoring Chart ........................................................................................ 114
Appendix I: Fecal Scoring Chart ........................................................................................................... 117
Appendix J: Physiological Reference Ranges ..................................................................................... 118
Appendix K: Necropsy Protocol and Tissue Collection Instructions ................................................ 119
Appendix L: Protocol for Labeling and Sending Fecal Samples for Fecal Steroid Analysis .......... 120
Appendix M: Enrichment Examples, Surveys, Problems, and Rating Charts .................................. 121
Appendix N: Jaguar SSP
®
Conservation/Research Proposal Format ............................................... 126
Appendix O: Suggested Additional Reading ....................................................................................... 128
Jaguar (
Panthera onca)
Care Manual
6
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Introduction
Preamble
AZA accreditation
standards, relevant to the topics discussed in this manual, are highlighted in boxes
such as this throughout the document (Appendix A).
AZA accreditation standards are continuously being raised or added. Staff from AZA-accredited
institutions are required to know and comply with all AZA accreditation standards, including those most
recently listed on the AZA website (http://www.aza.org), which might not be included in this manual.
Taxonomic Classification
Table 1. Taxonomic classification for
Panthera onca
Classification
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Suborder
Feliformia
Family
Felidae
Subfamily
Pantherinae
Genus, Species, and Status
Table 2. Genus, species, and status information for
Panthera onca
Genus
Species
Common Name
USA Status
IUCN Status
AZA Status
Panthera
onca
Jaguar
Endangered
Near Threatened
Green SSP
(United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 2016; IUCN, 2013)
General Information
The information contained within this Animal Care
Manual (ACM) provides a compilation of animal
care and management knowledge that has been gained from recognized species experts, including AZA
Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs), Species Survival Plan
®
Programs (SSPs), biologists, veterinarians,
nutritionists, reproduction physiologists, behaviorists and researchers (visit the
AZA
Animal Program
page
to contact these individuals). It is based on the most current science, practices, and technologies used in
animal care and management and is a valuable resource that enhances animal welfare by providing
information about the basic requirements needed and best practices known for caring for
ex situ jaguar
populations. This ACM is considered a living document that is updated as new information becomes
available and at a minimum of every five years.
Information presented is intended solely for the education and training of zoo and aquarium personnel
at AZA-accredited institutions. Recommendations included in the ACM
are not exclusive management
approaches, diets, medical treatments, or procedures, and may require adaptation to meet the specific
needs of individual animals and particular circumstances in each
institution. Statements presented throughout the body of the
manuals do not represent specific AZA accreditation standards of
care unless specifically identified as such in clearly marked
sidebar boxes. AZA-accredited institutions which
care for jaguar
must comply with all relevant local, state/provincial, and federal
wildlife laws and/or regulations; AZA accreditation standards that
are more stringent than these laws and/or regulations must be
met (AZA Accreditation Standard 1.1.1).
The ultimate goal of this ACM is to facilitate excellent jaguar management and care, which will ensure
superior jaguar
welfare at AZA-accredited institutions. Ultimately, success in our jaguar management and
care will allow AZA-accredited institutions to contribute to jaguar conservation, and
ensure that jaguars
are in our future for generations to come.
AZA Accreditation Standard
(1.1.1) The institution must comply with all
relevant local, state/provincial, and
federal wildlife laws and/or regulations. It
is understood that, in some cases, AZA
accreditation standards are more
stringent than existing laws and/or
regulations. In these cases the AZA
standard must be met.
