Tohono O’odham Students, Elders Name Arizona’s Newest Wild Jaguar

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Naming of O:ṣhad Ñu:kudam

Introduction

Students from schools on the Tohono O’odham Nation, along with groups of elders and nearly 1,000 Tribal members, have recently voted to name the newest detected wild jaguar to enter the United States from Mexico. The chosen name is O:ṣhad Ñu:kudam, which means “Jaguar Protector” in the O’odham language.

Background

O:ṣhad Ñu:kudam, pronounced OH-shahd NOO-KOO-dum, represents the return of jaguars to the land of the Tohono O’odham Nation. The Tohono O’odham have a long history of coexistence with jaguars and view them as protectors of their people and the environment. The presence of O:ṣhad Ñu:kudam serves as a testament to the resilience of nature and the importance of ongoing conservation efforts. The Tohono O’odham Nation is committed to ensuring a safe and thriving future for O:ṣhad and hopes to see the return of a breeding population of jaguars to the region.

O:ṣhad’s Journey

O:ṣhad began his journey in northern Mexico and traveled north into Arizona in early 2023. He has been documented in at least two Sky Island mountain ranges across the traditional lands of the Tohono O’odham.

Cultural Significance

The naming of O:ṣhad Ñu:kudam holds great cultural significance for the Tohono O’odham Nation. Cedric Lewis, a 12th grade student at Tohono O’odham High School, expressed his honor in voting for an O’odham name for the jaguar. He emphasized the important role jaguars play in the ecosystem and their cultural significance. Using their language to describe this special animal shows respect for traditional knowledge and the connection the Tohono O’odham have with the land and animals. Cultural recognition and learning from Tohono O’odham traditions are essential in protecting jaguars and their habitat.

Conservation Efforts

O:ṣhad has been detected over a dozen times since 2023 through remote field cameras set by various groups. The sensitive location data should not be made public to ensure the cat’s protection. The removal of apex predators like jaguars has negative chain reactions for the entire landscape and its inhabitants. Conservation efforts are crucial to restore a thriving population of jaguars across their native habitat.

Tohono O’odham Territory

Tohono O’odham territory stretches across both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. O:ṣhad is now the fourth jaguar since 2015 to live in and around O’odham lands north of the border. The Sky Island Mountains in and around Tohono O’odham territory have always been home to wild jaguars.

Naming Process

The naming process involved students from Tohono O’odham High School, other Tribal schools, and the community. The proposed names were translated into O’odham by students and verified with Tohono O’odham linguistics and Tribal council members. Over 99% of the respondents who voted self-identified as Tohono O’odham or Native American. The process took nearly a year to complete.

Conclusion

The naming of O:ṣhad Ñu:kudam represents the deep history of regional land stewardship by the Tohono O’odham Nation. Each jaguar that returns to their native lands is a symbol of hope that past injustices can be overcome. The Tohono O’odham Nation and its partners are dedicated to the conservation and protection of jaguars and their habitat.

References

Click here for photos and videos of the naming process.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the return of jaguars to the Tohono O’odham Nation’s land and emphasizes the importance of ongoing conservation efforts. This aligns with SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
• Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.

The article highlights the importance of protecting jaguars as a threatened species and integrating their conservation into local planning and development processes. This aligns with Target 15.5 and Target 15.9 under SDG 15.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index
• Indicator 15.9.1: Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, Indicator 15.5.1, which measures the Red List Index, can be used to assess the progress in reducing the degradation of natural habitats and preventing the extinction of threatened species. Additionally, Indicator 15.9.1, which measures progress towards national targets for integrating ecosystem and biodiversity values, can be used to track the integration of jaguar conservation into national and local planning processes.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Fuente: biologicaldiversity.org

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