The Houston Zoo's jaguar cub, Rojo, is set to make his public debut soon. Born in November at 2.5 pounds, the cub has grown to 20 pounds behind the scenes. Rojo, whose name means "red" in Spanish, is learning the ways of jaguars from his mother, Vida, while his father, Tesoro, resides in the South American Pantanal habitat, as reported by CW39.

The Ames Family, whose winning bid at the Zoo Ball fundraiser presented by Phillips 66, received the honor of naming Houston’s newest wildlife ambassador, chose the name Rojo. His presence at the zoo highlights the importance of protecting these animals from the threats of habitat loss, poaching, and deforestation.

A visit to the zoo supports conservation efforts. The Houston Zoo showcases animals while also supporting initiatives like Projeto Ariranhas, which, according to KHOU, trains Brazilian tour guides in jaguar-safe ecotourism. This program aims to allow both humans and jaguars to coexist without disrupting the natural balance.

Rojo’s role goes beyond being a symbol of wildlife and human interests, as noted by CW39. This aligns with the zoo's mission, which focuses on the importance of conservation efforts.