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At Beauval, Taima joins her grandmother Laetitia and prepares a new chapter for the jaguars
Arriving from Germany on 22 July, Taima, an 8-year-old female jaguar, has settled into her space at ZooParc de Beauval. Her presence is especially meaningful: she is the daughter of Sangha, who was born at Beauval, and the granddaughter of Laetitia, with whom cohabitation is being considered.
An arrival that continues a family story
On 22 July, Taima arrived at ZooParc de Beauval from Stuttgart Zoo in Germany. This 8-year-old female jaguar is gradually discovering her new surroundings, first indoors and then in the outdoor enclosure of the Big Cats Woods. Her arrival is more than a transfer between parks: Taima is already part of Beauval's jaguar story. Her mother, Sangha, was born there in 2013 to Miguel and Laetitia.
Taima is therefore the granddaughter of Laetitia and Miguel, the park's iconic jaguar, who died last April. This family connection gives special significance to her arrival at ZooParc de Beauval: born in Hungary in 2017, she is returning to the park where her mother was born. For the teams, this new resident opens a chapter that is both rooted in family and focused on the future.
A transfer organised within the European framework
Born on 28 November 2017 at Sóstó Zoo in Hungary, Taima joined Beauval as part of the EAZA Ex situ Programme. This programme aims to preserve, within zoological parks, a genetically diverse population of jaguars. Transfers and potential breeding plans are therefore considered at a European level, according to conservation needs and genetic criteria.
The journey from Germany went smoothly. As soon as her transport crate was opened, Taima quickly entered her new indoor area. Clothaire Thierry, head of the Big Cats section, says that she immediately explored the space without showing any signs of stress. The first few days still serve as a period of gradual acclimatisation and allow the keepers to get to know her.
Taima is already exploring her new space
Before going outside, Taima stayed indoors to get her bearings. The teams' observations describe a calm, attentive and very curious female. She readily watches what is around her, including visitors passing by her space. This curiosity is also reflected in her exploration, as every new feature of her environment becomes something to grow familiar with.
A new step was then taken with her first exploration of the outdoor enclosure in the Big Cats Woods. When it was time to go out, Taima showed no hesitation: she quickly ventured outside to explore her new space. After this exploration, she returned to her indoor area on her own. For the teams, this behaviour is particularly encouraging during this settling-in phase.
Encouraging first encounters with Laetitia
For several days, Taima has also been getting to know Laetitia, who has lived at the park for nearly twenty years. Born at Berlin Zoo on 6 September 2005, Laetitia arrived at Beauval on 27 September 2006, when she was one year old. The two females can already see and smell each other through the grilles separating their spaces.
According to Clothaire Thierry, the visual and olfactory contact is taking place without aggression. A first physical introduction was planned by the end of August, after Taima had explored the outdoor enclosure. The ultimate aim is to enable the two jaguars to live together harmoniously. Taima's presence could also stimulate Laetitia, who is ageing and experiencing mobility difficulties.
Towards the formation of a new pair
Taima's arrival brings new prospects for the park's jaguars. In the longer term, Beauval hopes to welcome a male in order to form a new pair. However, this possibility is not an immediate local decision: it must be considered by the European coordinators of the EAZA Ex situ Programme.
Any potential breeding will then depend on their recommendations. Decisions are made according to genetic diversity and the conservation needs of the species. For now, attention remains focused on Taima's adaptation and on the relationship she is building with her grandmother Laetitia, through the keepers' ongoing observations.
The jaguar, an essential but vulnerable predator
The third-largest feline in the world, the jaguar is considered the most powerful of the big cats in terms of bite force. This strength enables it to catch large prey such as capybaras and caimans, sometimes directly in the water. An excellent swimmer, it is one of the rare big cats particularly at ease in aquatic environments.
Found mainly in the tropical forests of Central and South America, the jaguar plays a major role at the top of the food chain. By regulating the populations of its prey, this apex predator contributes to the functioning of ecosystems and serves as an indicator of their health. The species is classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, notably because of habitat destruction and conflicts with humans.
A new ambassador for conservation
The European programmes in which Beauval takes part aim to preserve a genetically viable population of jaguars in zoological parks and to raise public awareness of the need to protect the species. In this context, Taima becomes a new ambassador for the challenges involved in preserving this iconic feline of the Americas.
The announcement of her arrival, published on 24 August 2026, thus recounts a settling-in period already marked by calm exploration, a first outdoor outing and encouraging encounters with Laetitia. Between her family ties to Beauval's historic jaguars and the prospects opened up by the European programme, Taima's arrival becomes part of a long-established story at the park.
Sources: actus.zoobeauval.com · zoobeauval.com