Threatened species of Panthera onca

Hunting and clearing of forests to build new settlements and pastures for cattle has reduced their population.

Once found from the southern United States through Central America and most of South America, the jaguar (Panthera onca) is now classified as "highly endangered" by international wildlife authorities, and survives mainly in the rain forests of Central and South America.

The jaguar, often incorrectly called a panther is a massive and powerfully built cat, with a deep-chested body and a large head. Its coat is yellowish-brown with dark brown spots in center-spotted rosettes. Some individuals are very dark brown, almost black, effectively masking their spots. The jaguar may be found near water in savannahs and forests in all parts of North and South America south of the United States. Jaguars were once found in an area ranging from Arizona to Argentina. Jaguars are thought to be numerous in parts of Venezuela, but everywhere else they are in danger of extinction.

The last native jaguar in the U.S. died in the early 1960's.