Rare Jaguar 'Cinco' Spotted in Arizona Mountains via Remote Camera

A remote camera placed near a watering hole in Arizona's Sky Island mountain ranges captured footage of a rare wild jaguar, nicknamed Jaguar Number Five or 'Cinco,' in March and April. This is only the fifth jaguar sighting in southern Arizona in 15 years, offering hope for conservationists. The camera was set up by volunteers and scientists from the University of Arizona's Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center. The large adult male jaguar was first spotted in photos in November 2025 after crossing the border from Mexico and has since been detected over 17 times. The footage helps researchers understand movement patterns of this endangered species. Volunteer Chris Schnaufer, 63, hiked off-trail to a remote watering hole, navigating rocky drop-offs, barrel cactuses, and steep waterfalls, to set up the camera. He followed a bear trail and made noise to avoid surprising wildlife. The camera captured Cinco drinking at sunset in March. Historically, jaguars ranged as far north as the Grand Canyon but declined due to hunting and habitat loss. They are now endangered in the U.S. and Mexico, and their future depends on cross-border conservation efforts.