Profepa recently brought a female Jaguarundi to El Refugio, the wild cat had been kept in captivity for years in a small cage: our intention is to teach her to hunt and release her to the wild. She is in good health and despite her years in captivity, she shows no sign of domesticity, so we are hopeful! Release of wild animals brought for rehab at ERP is one of our goals, even though many could be in danger as most locals do not appreciate wildlife in their backyards, so to speak.

The jaguarundi is a medium-sized wild cat related to the cougar and classified as genus puma. The jaguarundi is native to Central America and the northern and central countries of South America down to Argentina. It can be found, on rare occasions, in extreme southeast Arizona and Texas. It is one of six wild cats in Mexico; the others being the Jaguar, Puma (Mountain Lion, Cougar), Bobcat (Lynx), Ocelot, and Margay. The jaguarundi is a federal endangered species in the United States.

They appear to be relatively common over much of their range, but jaguarundi are quite rare in Mexico and Central America. Their habit of raiding domestic poultry and pets has not endeared them to farmers or families, and they are likely subject to hunting pressure around settled areas. Their fur has never been in demand for the fur trade because of its poor quality and lack of spotting, although they are undoubtedly caught in traps set for other species. Habitat destruction and human encroachment are the main threats to their existence.

It has a total length of 88–128 cm (35–50 inches) and a weight of up to 9.1 kg (20 lbs). It has short legs and an appearance somewhat like an otter; the ears are short and rounded. The coat is unspotted, uniform in color, and varying from blackish to brownish grey or from foxy red to chestnut. Unlike house cats, the jaguarundi has long powerful back legs and a tail as long as her body.

The jaguarundi hunts both at night and during the day. It stalks its prey and then pounces on it. It is a good swimmer and also eats fish. It will occasionally eat fruit. They are thought to hunt mainly on the ground and have a varied diet, including small rodents, rabbits, armadillos, opossums, quail, wild turkey, reptiles, frogs, fish and domestic poultry. They may occasionally eat leaves and fallen fruit as well, but this is probably only for the moisture content. The body shape would suggest terrestrial habits, but jaguarundi have been observed seeking refuge in trees, often moving from branch to branch.

Recent reports of a young female crossing the Los Achotes road with babies in tow have not been confirmed.

Starting with the discovery of 22 dead Olive Ridley turtles on Playa Blanca April 6^th, more than 300 others have since been observed beaches stretching from Playa Larga to La Barrita south of Petatlan.

Wildlife Vet Jorge Guzman conducted initial necropsies on several turtles found on April 6^th and concluded that the turtles had most likely died from drowning, partly as they did not have other obvious injuries.

Original speculation and reporting by local press focused on commercial shrimp boats that use enormous nets. Given that the US recently banned the sale of Mexican wild shrimp because of turtle deaths resulting from nets without adequate turtle escape features, and the local arrest and impoundment of one shrimp boat, this seemed a likely possibility.

However, with the turtle death toll reaching over three hundred, shrimp netting seems a less obvious answer.  While dead turtles are often observed on beaches after large commercial fishing boats have been in the waters, locals report that they have never witnessed dead turtles washing up onshore in such numbers.

Mr. Guzman and the local, state and national environmental authorities from Semarnat and Profepa and the federal agency Semaren have visited the affected beaches and Jorge has performed more necropsies. It is difficult to determine the exact cause of death when the turtles are in a state of advanced decomposition. Biological tissue samples have been taken to be analyzed for evidence of infection or other pathogens and will be compared with tissue samples taken earlier this year from turtles rescued and brought to El Refugio de Potosi while still alive.  These rescued turtles ultimately died.

Mr. Guzman is hopeful, as are we all,  that answers can be found to explain this devastating and tragic loss of marine turtle life.

Link to article on Mexican Wild Shrimp Ban:

http://www.seaturtles.org/article.php?id=1533

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