An update on Xamã, the rescued jaguar
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Preparations begin for the eventual release of Xamã, a jaguar rescued as a cub from the fires in Brazil back in August of 2022.
For the last two years, Xamã, the rescued jaguar, has been living in a large, forested enclosure, undergoing rehabilitation in preparation for release back to the wild. His enclosure is surrounded by a 4.3-meter-high electrified fence to keep him safe, but the risk of a tree falling onto the fence during the rainy season led the team to equip Xamã with a radio collar - just in case he decided to make an unscheduled exit.
Photo: World Animal Protection / Noelly Castro
Capturing Xamã to place the collar, however, turned out to be a bit of a waiting game. Despite setting up cameras, scheduling feeding times and planning for his arrival in the cambiamento (a brick structure designed for capture), Xamã decided he wasn’t in a hurry to cooperate. It wasn’t until the fourth day, after several attempts, that hunger finally won out, and Xamã wandered into the cambiamento.
Photo: World Animal Protection / Noelly Castro
Once sedated, the veterinarian gave Xamã a full physical evaluation and confirmed that he was in perfect health. After the evaluation, they fitted the jaguar with a radio collar and microchip which will allow the team to monitor his movements post-release and collect valuable data on jaguar behaviour in the wild.
Xamã with his radio collar on. (Photo: World Animal Protection / Noelly Castro)
Xamã has come a long way during his rehabilitation. As a cub, he was curious and playful, even submitting to older male jaguars who wandered by his enclosure. Now, he’s a strong, fully grown jaguar, confident in holding his own. His reluctance around humans is a great success – it shows he’s ready to return to the wild away from human interference.
Thanks to your ongoing support, Xamã is set to be the first male Amazonian jaguar to be released to the wild after rehabilitation. His release is expected in the coming months, marking a significant milestone in jaguar conservation.
Stay tuned for more on Xamã’s upcoming release!
Banner photo: World Animal Protection / Noelly Castro
Watch this!
Video thanks to Oncafari
Bonus: Volume up to hear Xamã vocalizing in the first part of this video. Keep watching for some cute clips of Xamã resting by his pond and of some visitors to his enclosure!