They had to kill the jaguar to save the jaguar

(AZ Star)

Today's Arizona Daily Star has this revealing article about the death of Macho B. It quotes a University of Arizona researcher questioning the decision made by the AZ Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others to euthanize the jaguar they "accidentally" caught in a snare last month. The article's title, "Did Macho B have to die?" should be answered with a resounding "NO!" and new non-invasive management policies for monitoring wildlife should be instituted across the board.

The worst part of the article is the revelation that they did a shoddy necroscopy so that they would be able to tan and preserve the hide for "educational purposes."

Sorting truth from opinion will be difficult because officials chose to perform a "cosmetic" necropsy rather than a full one, outside experts said. The zoo conducted the less invasive procedure at the request of the wildlife service and the Game and Fish Department to leave the skin intact for an as-yet-undecided future use, Terry Johnson said. In a cosmetic necropsy, authorities make careful incisions so the skin can be salvaged, he said.

Arizona Game and Fish is considering using the hide to create a "live mount" of Macho B to be exhibited for educational purposes, according to an e-mail from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supervisor Steve Spangle, obtained through a public records request.

It would have been far more educational to learn how he died. But we're pretty sure we know the answer to that: Gross incompetence.