Comment on FR Doc # 2010-00479

In response to Federal Register Docket No. [FWS-R2-ES-2009-0091], we have the following comments to make: 1) The amount and distribution of jaguar habitat, both throughout its range and within the United States. Sufficient information has not been gathered on the amount of jaguars or their distribution throughout their range to scientifically comment on this statement. Information on jaguars is still being gathered by wildlife biologists in Mexico, Central and South America. (Save the Jaguar. Wildlife Conservation Society. 2006. www.savethejaguar.com/jag-index/jag-conservation ) and (May 23, 2006. Central America Agrees to Jaguar Corridor. Wildlife Conservation Society). Within the United States, most wildlife biologists agree that, for at least the last 150 years, the jaguars have been male transients wandering into the U.S. from Mexico. (Rabinowitz, Alan. February 12, 2006. Comments on Summary Report for Habitat Work. E-mail communication.) and (Rabinowitz, Alan. June 21-26 1997. Trip report of Southwest U.S. and Northern Mexico). The climate has been changing over the last 400 years in the Southwest. As a result habitat for jaguars no longer exits in the U.S. (Lopez-Gonzalez, Miller, Quigley, Rabinowitz, Tewes, Valdez. October 25, 2000. Review of Jaguar Conservation Strategy) Historically, no jaguars have ever been sighted on our ranch in the Bootheel of New Mexico or our ranch near Hachita, NM (2) The physical and biological features of jaguar habitat that are essential to the conservation of the species. This information is still being gathered by the wildlife biologists studying jaguars throughout their range. Not enough information is available to state with certainty what physical and biological features are essential to the conservation of jaguars in the U.S. 3) Special management considerations or protections that the features essential to the conservation of the jaguar may require, including managing for the potential effects of climate change. This information is still being gathered by wildlife biologists throughout the jaguars’ range. In Southern NM and Arizona, the effect of climate change has been impacting the area for at least the last 400 years. The drier climate is not conducive to jaguars inhabiting this area. 4) Any areas that are essential to the conservation of the jaguar throughout its range and why. According to the wildlife biologists studying the jaguar, Central and South America are the areas that are essential for the conservation jaguars. * (Rabinowitz, Alan. January/February 2006. “Connecting the Dots: Saving the Jaguar Throughout Its Range”. Wildlife Conservation Society Magazine) 5) The areas in the United States that were occupied at the time of listing that contain features essential to the conservation of the species – No areas in the U.S. were “occupied” at the time of listing. However, one male transient (Macho B) has been documented in Arizona over the last 13 years. Unfortunately, he died before anyone was able to gather data on where he might be residing. There are no areas in the U.S. that contain the essential features necessary for the conservation of the species due to a drying trend that has lasted for many years. Water, prey base and cover are essential features for jaguar habitat according to leading wildlife biologists studying jaguars. (Rabinowitz, Alan. April 2, 1999. e-mail correspondence to AZ Game and Fish discussing habitat in the United States). 6) The areas in the United States that were not occupied at the time of listing, but are essential to the conservation of the species and why, The majority of jaguars reported in the U.S. have been male transients dispersing out of a core area in Mexico. No area in the U.S. is essential to the conservation of the species. 7) Land use designations and current or planned activities in jaguar habitats and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat. Until more information is gathered by the scientists studying jaguar, it is too early to say what planned activities will impact proposed critical habitat in the U.S. (8) Conservation programs and plans that protect the jaguar and its habitat. An open, collaborative process that includes all stakeholders, especially the local stakeholders, in the decision making process is the most effective way of protecting any jaguars that might wander into the U.S. from Mexico and the habitat. (9) Whether we could improve or modify our approach to designating critical habitat in any way to provide for greater public participation and understanding, or to better accommodate public concerns and comments. Keeping an open, honest dialogue and feedback to potentially impacted individuals, counties, cities and local stakeholders would encourage better communication and accommodate public concerns. Sincerely, Murray and Judy Keeler PO Box 307 Animas, NM 88020