It’s a sight of incredible beauty - snow-capped mountains, wild rivers and pine-clad forests surrounded by a sea of grasslands. The Sky Island region offers a unique blending of biodiversity that reflects an expression of life found nowhere else on Earth. 
Located along the border of Mexico and the southwestern United States, this large block of land connects more than 40 distinct mountain ranges. Native inhabitants of this area include jaguars, thick-billed parrots, Mexican gray wolves, and other species of endangered wildlife. These animals, and the wild wonderland they live in, are threatened by the modern challenges of climate change, population growth, and water scarcity.
Current protection efforts are focused on an area of northern Mexico, and rely on the confirmed existence of four species of felines. Both jaguars and ocelots are in danger of extinction in Mexico and the U.S. due to destruction of habitat and poaching. The presence and protection of these individual cats represents the best hope for survival of the species – but first researchers must learn more about this remote region. They’re doing so in a simple but effective way – through the use of photography.
As a research tool, the use of remote cameras to capture photos of wildlife has increased in wildlife studies. This non-invasive technique does not require capturing or influencing animals’ behavior - making it popular, easy to use and well accepted. Photographs allow researchers to identify species, gender, estimate age, observe family groups, and sometimes assess health status and behavior.
With the help of the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, the Sky Island Alliance has placed and monitored 30 camera traps - and verified the presence of a number of species of animals. 2010 was the first year that the Fund supported this organization and is pleased to play its part in protecting this ecologically diverse area.
