Comments on: Favorite Jaguar Moments

By: Jonathon Hopkins

Jonathon Hopkins — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:51:57 +0000

My favorite Jaguar moment would have to be my son’s 8th birthday. We witnessed a black panther giving birth to spotted cubs! It was truly amazing. I was curious to find out that a pair of spotted jaguars can only produce spotted cubs because the gene is incompletely dominant. Individuals with two copies of the allele are darker than individuals with one. My other favorite moment is when they beat the Buffalo Bills in their first ever playoff game on December 28th 1996! wow what a game!

By: bigcatcentral

bigcatcentral — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:16:16 +0000

Nindiri was born at the zoo near me. I am glad to know she’s doing well. I miss her. I hope sometime I can come there and see her again.

By: Kalei hoffmeyer

Kalei hoffmeyer — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:49:21 +0000

thanks alot for the info

By: Carrie

Carrie — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:55:10 +0000

I just wanted to say your doing a good job keeping the both of them safe and healthy!! Keep up the good work!!!!!!!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:40:28 +0000

Thank you, moderator, for the information about Orson!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:22:28 +0000

The local zoo used to have a black jaguar. Until I saw him in person, I’d thought that black jaguars were solid black. When the sunlight glinted off this jaguar’s coat, however, I realized that he had spots. He was one of the most beautiful creatures I’ve ever laid my eyes on and when he stared albeit briefly into my eyes, it was breathtaking. Orson looks similarly stunning in that photo. Is there any way to find out what zoo he came from?

Giant pandas were my “first love” in the animal kingdom and the fondness and fascination have never died. In college, I missed the family dogs but was not allowed to have a dog in my apartment. I took on a cat that needed a home despite the fact that I’d had no experience being around a cat. It was a life-altering decision and I quickly learned how magnificent cats are, whether small and domesticated or big and wild. The rewards of working with animals must be endless but I am especially in awe (and the slightest bit jealous, but in a good way) of those who are able to make their life’s work amongst the giant pandas and big cats. Give Orson and Nindiri my warmest regards, Karen, and thank you for taking great care of the cats. It is wonderful to read these blogs and feel the love for animals that the keepers clearly possess.

Moderator’s note: Orson was born at the Wildlife World Zoo in Arizona in 1992. The following year he was sent to the Phoenix Zoo, who in turn sent him to us in 1997.

By: nancy from michigan

nancy from michigan — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:25:24 +0000

is there a reason why they are put on exibit one at a time? are they together when off exibit? they are truly beautiful cats. who picked out their cool names? I like them alot!! thanks for the interesting post.

Karen responds: Hello Nancy. Here are the answers to your questions:

Jaguars are solitary animals in the wild. Males and females are together only for breeding. And, of course, moms with cubs are together.

They each came to us from different zoos, already named.

Thanks you for your interest in these beautiful cats. As you can imagine, I love taking care of them!

Cheers,
Karen Barnes

By: Clare

Clare — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:13:31 +0000

Karen, thanks for the great info. They both are beautiful cats. Also thank you for setting up N’s first carcass pull. It was great fun to watch.

By: Pepsi Coke

Pepsi Coke — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:43:34 +0000

Orson reminds me of my cat,Shadow.He has a green hue in his eyes to!! Anyways,keep up the good work!!

By: Shirley Sykes

Shirley Sykes — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 04:30:56 +0000

Hi Karen. Thanks so much for your blog. I always enjoy seeing the jaguars on my frequent zoo walks. I guess Orson is one of my favorites. His energy, especially when he tackles hidden meatballs or a suspended leg of lamb, is truly awesome. And all all of us zoophiles are looking forward to seeing Nindiri and her eventual partner on the new Elephant Oddysey exhibit when it opens in late spring.