The killing of jaguars by farmers prevails in Mexico, despite the support that is offered when their animals are attacked by this endangered feline, the delegate of Mexico's Environmental Protection Agency, or PROFEPA, José Lafontaine Hamui said.

The federal official warned that there is no control in the killing of this protected species, even though it is well known that hunting the jaguar is a federal crime. He stressed the importance of establishing a program with farmers to strengthen the connection and operations to protect this endemic species of America.

José Lafontaine recalled that hunting, killing, possessing, transporting, and selling a jaguar is a federal crime punishable with jail time and/or economic fines, and PROFEPA is the one filing criminal complaints in the Federal Public Ministry.

The main circumstances that cause the jaguars to attack farm animals or livestock are the deforestation and land conversion to pasture areas, the excessive hunting of wild species (their natural food,) and the mishandling of the livestock. Above all, he stressed, the fact of killing jaguar, cougar, or coyote will not solve the problem, and the humans cannot change the food chain as in the case of big cats, which is a carnivorous species essential to the natural environment.

Due to the population growth, the jaguar and many other wildlife species have fewer habitats for development. Thus, they have less food, and worst of all, the illegal hunting of wild species that are part of its food chain leave less food available, therefore the jaguars attack livestock - especially calves, sheep, and goats.

The jaguar is an endangered animal that requires vast extension of land, as it is constantly moving and even travels great distances, so it is unknown the exact number of jaguars in Mexico.