As anyone who has driven the byways of Martha’s Vineyard knows, the population of skunks is a continuing noxious menace. Also, that of white-tailed deer is out of hand. The latter are known, when the population becomes super abundant, to overgraze on the understory and reduce the biodiversity of the forest by as much as 90 per cent, destroying many species of native flora and fostering the growth of invasive species. The deer season for hunters has proven only a small solution to end the overpopulation, since both deer and skunks have no natural predators on the Island.

The October Smithsonian magazine describes the jaguar as an apex predator that has been hunted to near extinction on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico (although they are plentiful on the Mexican side). Plans to develop a major copper mine in Arizona are entangled in a dispute over the requirements of the Endangered Species Act and mining interests. The Rosemont mine would be the third largest copper mine in the U.S., with a dollar value estimated in the tens of billions and would promise employment of 400 workers and a $701 million annual boost to the local economy over 20 years in this economically depressed area. According to the article, white-tailed deer are abundant in the area and the sole jaguar on the U.S. side of the garden eats everything, including skunks. The jaguar “eats all but the rear end which contains the noisome scent glands and the fluffy tail,” the article reports.

It would seem that a solution may be at hand for a number of problems both in Arizona and the Vineyard. Import a male jaguar from Mexico to the Island. It could not reproduce by finding a mate, would address the deer and skunk problem and avoid humans. “Jaguar attacks on humans are incredibly rare,” the article says. The animal, which is said to “roar like a lion” could also be radio collared to help keep track of it. Economic development in Arizona benefiting many people could proceed apace while keeping the cats south of the border. Their absence would continue to protect livestock and none of these beautiful animals would have to be culled.

It would appear that animal control officials on Martha’s Vineyard could solve many problems by contacting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and look into the importing of a single male Jaguar.

B. Carroll
Oak Bluffs