Chimera: Arizona Jaguar Boondoggle

The idea that the federal government should devote time and money to re-establish the jaguar in Arizona is a colossal, preposterous waste of money, a self-serving, activist driven boondoggle.  There were never very many jaguar in Arizona in the first place and none now. The fearsome predator was so rare even before Europeans arrived that it isn't even a part of Native American folklore in Arizona or New Mexico as it is in Latin America. The riparian habitat along the Salt, Gila and other Arizona rivers that's best for supporting the jaguar is long gone, a victim of humans, starting with Native Americans and then Europeans, diverting the waters for agricultural, industrial and residential purposes. Instead of indulging the fantasies of self-styled environmental activists and wasting money on this chimera, the money needs to be spent on our children or devoted to protecting the jaguar where there are viable jaguar populations and habitats in Central and South America.