Scientists with the Arizona Game and Fish department have confirmed that the jaguar shot by trail cams in the Huachuca mountains is new to the area.
"Five scientists from the department independently examined the photos from the new sighting with those from previous jaguars in Arizona to compare spot patterns and concluded that this animal has not been sighted in previously in the state," said Jim deVos, assistant director for Wildlife Management at AZGFD, in a statement.
"While recognizing the importance of finding a new jaguar in Arizona, it is also important to point out that this animal, like all other jaguars observed in Arizona in at least 50 years, is a solitary male and that the closest breeding population of this species is about 130 miles south of the International Border."
The last jaguar spotted in the state was in the Santa Rita mountains but has not been seen since September 2015.
