Baton Rouge Zoo welcomes first jaguar cub in three decades

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Jaguars, like Tigers, are an important part of Baton Rouge, which makes the city zoo’s historic baby news all that more exciting for the community.

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo announced on Tuesday, Dec. 10, the first jaguar cub was born at the zoo in over three decades. According to the zoo, the cub’s arrival marks the first jaguar birth in the country since 2022, and a significant milestone for both the zoo and jaguar conservation efforts.

“This birth is a symbol of hope for the species and highlights the critical role zoos play in conserving wildlife,” said Jim Fleshman, the zoo director of BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo.

The zoo is celebrating this historic event by getting the community involved in naming the cub.

The last time the zoo welcomed a jaguar cub, which was over 31 years ago, it was transferred as a newborn to Jacksonville Zoo where it could be hand-raised under the guidance of the Jaguar Species Survival Plan. Zoo officials attributed that decision to ensuring the best possible care for the newborn.

According to the zoo, the cub’s mother, which previously experienced still born litters, is recovering well and bonding with the cub behind the scenes where they will remain for the next two months.

The cub will make its public debut at the Baton Rouge Zoo in spring of 2025.

Name That Jag

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo invites the community to participate in its “Name That Jag” social media contest. Community members can choose between three names curators narrowed down for the cub:

• Seti – “Bright” (Egyptian origin)
• Taiyari – “Our Heart” (Huichol Indigenous people of Mexico)
• Soona – “Moon” (Otomi Indigenous people of Mexico)

To vote, visit BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo’s Facebook page and comment below your favorite name chose under their post.

The winning name will be announced on Jan. 1, 2025.

Conservation

The Baton Rouge Zoo states the jaguar cub will serve as an ambassador and bring awareness to the challenges facing jaguar populations worldwide.

According to officials, jaguars face significant conservation challenges, particularly in the Guiana Shield region, where 46 percent of their population resides outside of protected areas.

For more information, visit the Baton Rouge Zoo’s website.

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