Jaguars are the Americas' largest cat and require extensive space, water access, and prey-based enrichment to maintain welfare in captivity.
Jaguars in zoos require the largest feasible enclosures with deep water features for swimming, varied terrain for patrol and ambush play, and prey-simulation enrichment that engages stalking and pouncing behaviors. Feeder enrichment using whole carcasses or heavily scented items satisfies both olfactory and predatory motivation. Single housing, matching their solitary nature outside of breeding, reduces inter-individual stress.