On May 12, the Arizona Game and Fish Department received a Notice of Intent to Sue from the Center for Biological Diversity for what the Center claims are “violations of Section 9 of the Federal Endangered Species Act for taking jaguar.”
It should be noted that in an April 1 news release, the Center for Biological Diversity specifically called for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement division to conduct an investigation into the capture of the jaguar known as Macho B. That investigation is now being conducted.
Only the Center for Biological Diversity can now explain why they have issued a notice of intent to sue the Game and Fish Department prior to the conclusion of the investigation they called for and supported in April.
While the Department is still reviewing the notice, our initial read does not indicate any substantive difference in the allegations in the notice and those issues that are part of the ongoing investigation.
The Department continues to fully cooperate with the investigation. In the event the investigation or our ongoing review reveals any inappropriate conduct or actions, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department will take appropriate measures.