The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) released this week unpublished images of a yaguarundi wandering among the ruins of Xochicalco in the state of Morelos, Mexico.
This archaeological site, declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1999, thus becomes the scene of an exceptional encounter with one of the most discreet species on the continent.
A feline that lives in the shadow of the jaguar and the puma
Also known as jaju, leoncillo, gato moro, onza, or león breñero, the yaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) is a small to medium-sized feline with a narrow head, rounded ears, and a short and rough coat that varies between brown and black tones, without spots or lines.
Its behavior is solitary and diurnal, and it usually avoids human contact, making its sighting in the wild a rare privilege. It feeds on rodents, small birds, and reptiles, and inhabits tropical forests, shrublands, and grasslands.
Archaeological sites as biodiversity refuges
Although locals and park rangers had already reported signs of its existence, this is the first clear visual evidence in the area. Previous studies by the Center for Biological Research of the Autonomous University of Morelos (2012–2013) had already documented its presence.
“The finding confirms that archaeological sites can function as wildlife refuges,” stated INAH. “Conserving our past also protects our natural future,” they highlighted in the accompanying video.
A threatened species with low visibility in conservation campaigns
According to the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), the yaguarundi is threatened in Mexico by the expansion of agriculture, livestock, and deforestation. Despite its low media profile, it is also a victim of trafficking and animal exploitation.
Data from the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) reveal that since 2009, at least 55 live specimens have been seized, although only one in 2024, showing a worrying decrease in recent records.
Continental distribution and presence in Mexico
The distribution range of the yaguarundi spans from Texas and Florida to Argentina, with confirmed presence in Sonora, Chiapas, Tamaulipas, Yucatán, Michoacán, and Morelos.
In Mexico, its historical habitat includes both the Pacific Coast and the Yucatán Peninsula.
Population estimates and scientific monitoring
According to a study published in April 2024 in the journal Diversity and Distributions, it is estimated that there are between 35,000 and 230,000 yaguarundis on the continent.
The study was based on 884 records obtained from almost 4,000 camera traps distributed in over 650 sites, representing one of the widest monitoring efforts carried out to date.
