The European Captive Population of Jaguar

This case study examines some of the goals and challenges of conservation breeding in a European zoo, as a complement to the NCEP module The Management of Conservation Breeding Programs in Zoos and Aquariums. The set-up involves discussions between the director of the zoo and the fundraising officer concerning a breeding program for jaguars, Panthera onca. The subsequent scenarios and data, on topics such as studbooks and selective breeding, are based on real events that occurred as part of the jaguar conservation breeding program developed by the North of England Zoological Society Chester Zoo in England, through funding from Jaguar Cars. Each scenario is accompanied by discussion questions to further engage students.