The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been helping Guyana with conservation projects for the past four years, including wildlife surveys by the Iwokrama International Center for Rainforest Conservation, helping the zoo in Georgetown, and funding an updating of the nation's wildlife laws.In January of 2006, the senior veterinarian, Dr. Nick Kapustin and I went to Georgetown to bring back two female jaguars that had been captured as kittens (their mothers having been killed as livestock pests). There had actually been a third animal, but it was also shot by the owner because it had gotten big and was becoming dangerous.
After over two weeks of surprises, twists, waiting, lots of logistical arrangements, waiting, paperwork, and more waiting, these two jaguars were crated, flown to Miami, and then trucked to Jacksonville. Today, the zoo is trying to breed them to contribute new genetic material to the captive population.
The two big cats are maintained at the state of the art Range of the Jaguar exhibit, on permanent loan from the government of Guyana. The zoo is committed to future conservation projects in Guyana. A local newspaper, the Times Union, sent journalist Roger Bull and photographer Jon Fletcher to document the trip.
Photos by: J. Fletcher, Times Union
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