KJZZ

The Arizona’s environmental agency says a southwest area being requested as a critical habitat for a wild cat is not necessary.In August, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed that 1,300 acres of land in Arizona and New Mexico be designated as a critical habitat for jaguars. The animal was placed on the endangered species list in 2007.

Federal officials want to designate the area critical after male jaguars from Mexico were spotted in Southern Arizona. But Arizona wildlife officials say the state lands aren’t essential to the conservation of jaguars because it only makes up less than 1 percent of the species’ historic range. They say the rare jaguar’s primary habitat is in Central and South America. Arizona officials want the proposal withdrawn.