Amarillo Zoo welcomes black jaguar Bagheera

The public is invited as the Amarillo Zoo officially introduces one of its newest members this weekend.

"One of the newest residents of the Amarillo Zoo can rip a phone book in half – traditionally regarded as a sign of strength for those with hands. However, the Amarillo Zoo’s new strongman does not have hands. He has paws – and jaws," a city of Amarillo news release says.

Bagheera, an 8-year-old black jaguar who arrived at the Amarillo Zoo in February, is named for the character in the classic book “The Jungle Book” by Rudyard Kipling and related movie.

The Amarillo Zoo is inviting the public to officially welcome Bagheera at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18.

While his dark brown coat makes him unique among big cats, jaguars also have the most powerful jaws of the big cat family – a strength Bagheera enjoys showing as he playfully tears about phone books and boxes in his new home at the Amarillo Zoo, the city notes.

“Bagheera has a lot of personality and has quickly made a home here at the zoo,” said Amarillo Zoo Curator Berkeley Hilliard. “He is a beautiful animal, and we think zoo visitors will really enjoy getting to know him.”

Bagheera comes to Amarillo from California from an animal preserve facility that is closing.

“We were very fortunate to be able to bring Bagheera to Amarillo,” Hilliard said. “He is really a joy, and we are thrilled that Amarillo is his new home.”

For a video preview of Bagheera, see: youtu.be/AmnKd9RKetA .

For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.