A Tobusch plant in fruit. Photo Credit: J. Poole

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Endangered Species Recovery Champion Awards

March 19, 2009
The 2008 Recovery Champion award recipients have been announced. The Recovery Champion award recognizes U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees and their partners for contributions to the recovery of threatened and endangered species in the United States. The Service congratulates Southwest regional award recipients Tom Stehn and Jackie Poole.

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Regional Director's Conservation Award Presented to Warner Glenn

Dr. Benjamin Tuggle presents Warner Glenn with the Regional Director's Conservation Award for his contribution to threatened and endangered species in the southwest. Photo: Bill Radke, USFWS

For his outstanding contributions to threatened and endangered species in the Southwest, Warner Glenn of Douglas, Arizona, was presented the “Regional Director's Conservation Award” by Benjamin N. Tuggle, PhD, Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Southwest Region, at a meeting of the Malpai Borderlands Group in southern Arizona. Warner Glenn was also presented with the "Regional Recovery Champion" Award for his conservation efforts.

The jaguar’s international conservation status is ‘Near Threatened’ throughout its range while it is listed as endangered within the United States.  Glenn has been instrumental in changing negative perceptions of the jaguar among southern Arizona ranchers and communities.  He first encountered this elusive endangered species in 1996 while hunting mountain lions, and sited a jaguar again in 2006.  His photos from those two sightings were the first taken of a live jaguar in the United States.  Glenn’s book, Eyes of Fire, vividly tells the story of his encounter with the jaguar. 

"Warner has done more than document the occurrence of jaguars in the United States,” said Tuggle.  “His stunning photographs, along with his written and oral accounts, have ignited a passion for jaguars and for borderland conservation -- a passion shared by many of his fellow ranchers who work on and care for the land."  A portion of the proceeds from the book is donated to the Jaguar Fund of the Malpai Borderlands Group. The money is used to compensate livestock owners for a confirmed jaguar depredations, and protects jaguar habitat, as well as for other desert wildlife projects.

Since Glenn began his amazing encounters with borderlands jaguars, the Service has granted the jaguar Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection in the United States.  The Service also participates in the Jaguar Conservation Team, a state, federal and private partnership which has developed a Conservation Assessment and Strategy for the jaguar in Arizona and New Mexico.  The Service has also helped fund the Borderlands Jaguar Detection Group's jaguar monitoring efforts in Arizona. 

Photo Credit: © Warner Glenn. All rights reserved.

Since 2005, the Service has contributed more than $100,000 in funds to local and international efforts to help conserve the jaguar, and has helped secure an additional $300,000 in financial support for on-the-ground jaguar recovery projects in Mexico, Belize, Brazil and Argentina.  

“While I am very proud of the efforts of our dedicated Service employees on behalf of jaguar protection, I know that often times a friend or a neighbor’s passion about an animal is far more powerful in promoting species and habitat conservation,” said Tuggle.  “Fueling people’s commitment to this exceptional species is Warner’s true gift to the jaguar. 

His stories and his photographs will continue to inspire future generations, and I am so pleased to honor him as the Service’s Regional Recovery Champion.”

It is illegal to import the jaguar, or any of its parts, without a permit in the United States due to its endangered status.  Service law enforcement agents on the border have investigated numerous jaguar hide or skull imports.  Those without a permit are assessed civil penalties and/or issued a notice of violation. 

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.