What’s Next for Anri the Jaguar?

The Forest Department has recaptured a female jaguar known as ‘Anri’ in Lemonal Village after confirming she was responsible for recent livestock attacks in the area.

Anri is not new to wildlife officials. She was first captured in August 2025 in the Stann Creek District after being reported as a “potential conflict jaguar,” a term used when big cats are suspected of preying on livestock.

At the time of her first capture, veterinarians carried out a full health assessment and found that Anri was “healthy and had intact canine teeth, indicating that conflict jaguars are not necessarily old or injured.” 

Following that assessment, officials fitted Anri with a satellite tracking collar and released her into the Northeastern Biological Corridor, away from the conflict site, to monitor her movements.

For several months, Anri roamed widely across Belize’s forests. But in February this year, the Forest Department received new reports of livestock predation in Lemonal. Camera traps set by the Department and the Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative Jaguar Team confirmed Anri was the culprit.

A trap was set on February 27, and after weeks of monitoring, she was recaptured on March 15.

Preliminary checks suggest she may now have a damaged canine tooth, an injury that could explain her turn to livestock and one that will weigh heavily in the decision on whether she can be released again.

Officials say a full veterinary assessment is now underway, and further updates will follow once experts determine what comes next for Anri.