Factors threatening the Jaguar:

The jaguar populations are declining rapidly. The Jaguar is considered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as Near Threatened. The very high deforestation rates in Latin America represent an important loss of the animal's habitat and the fragmentation of the forests which isolates Jaguar populations. The conversion of wild lands to agriculture is a main cause for the deforestation. This loss of environment makes them more vulnerable to human persecution. There is an increasing competition between people and jaguars for prey, as a result, jaguars are often shot at sight, despite the protective legislation. "An estimated 27% of jaguar range has a depleted wild prey base" (WCS 2008). The Jaguars also get killed by ranchers because they are known to kill livelihoods. The jaguar has demonstrated that it is a vulnerable species to persecution by the mid-1900's from the south-western US. The Jaguars are suffering because of the lack of natural prey because of the loss of habitat; as a result they're forced to prey cattle which fuels the conflict between ranchers and Jaguars.

Before the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), 15,000 jaguar pelts were brought from the Brazilian Amazon each year. Nonetheless, after the CITES in 1973 and the several anti-fur campaigns, the hunting and trapping of jaguars for their pelts has decreased significantly. But, although the decrease of hunting there is still demand for jaguar teeth, paws and other products.