Arizona
Jaguar in southern Arizona named by Tohono O'odham Nation
A wild jaguar first seen crossing into southern Arizona last year has a new name chosen by the Tohono O’odham Nation.
The jaguar will now be called O:had Ñu:kudam, which means “jaguar protector” in the O’odham language.
O:had was first spotted back in 2023 on the ancestral land of the Tohono O’odham people. The Center for Biological Diversity reached out to the nation’s leaders to ask if they wanted to name the jaguar.
(O:ṣhad Ñu:kudam is pronounced OH-shahd NOO-KOO-dum.)
Footage of newly spotted jaguar in Arizona released
“It’s only fair that they have a say in naming jaguars that return to their traditional lands,” Russ McSpadden with the Center for Biological Diversity said.
Who decided the name?
“There was a two-week period, we sent an email request for people to also vote, indicate if they were O’odham, Native American, or non-Native American. Tabulated results and that’s where O:ṣhad Ñu:kudam came about,” said Chairman Austin Nunez of the San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation.
The Center for Biological Diversity says the wild jaguar is a sign that conservation efforts are working in southern Arizona.
They hope more of the animals will migrate into the state in the coming years.
Jaguar in Arizona named by Tohono O’odham Nation
“The return of jaguars to our land is a source of immense pride and profound hope. Since time immemorial, the Tohono O’odham have shared our homelands with the jaguar,” Chairman Nunez said. “As O’odham we view jaguars as protectors of our people and the environment. O:ṣhad Ñu:kudam’s presence serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of nature and the importance of ongoing conservation efforts. We are committed to working to ensure a safe and thriving future for O:ṣhad and, one day hope to see the return of a breeding population of jaguars to this region.”
O:ṣhad is thought to have been born somewhere in Mexico and traveled into Arizona after leaving his mother in early 2023.
You can read more about O:had Ñu:kudam by clicking here.
In Part Two of Arizona’s Family First Alert Weather Monsoon 2026 special, meteorologists Ian Schwartz and April Warnecke explore the beautiful yet incredibly dangerous nature of monsoon lightning.
Did you know the state of Arizona experiences an average of 600,000 lightning strikes every single year? Our team breaks down the science of how these strikes form and details the catastrophic threat of “dry lightning”—the leading spark behind some of our state’s most historic wildfires. We look back at the devastating Dragon Bravo Fire, which scorched 145,000 acres and destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, as well as the tragic Yarnell Hill Fire of 2013, which claimed the lives of 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots.
We also share the incredible survival story of hiker Scott Courtright, who was struck by a bolt of lightning while atop Humphreys Peak. While there is a 90% survival rate for lightning strikes, 80% of survivors suffer lifelong health impacts, including neurological damage, depression, and PTSD. Ian and April debunk common lightning safety myths (like the belief that rubber shoes or “Crocs” will protect you) and explain why you should avoid taking a shower or using corded electronics during a storm.
Plus, Jennifer Armbruster from the Arizona Humane Society joins us with her dog Bubbles to share vital summer safety tips for your pets. We highlight why it is actually illegal in the city of Phoenix to keep a dog tethered outdoors during a monsoon warning.
Finally, we look at the official climate outlook for the rest of the Monsoon 2026 season and explore how an emerging El Niño setup could bring much-needed rain—and cooler, cloud-covered days—to our dry desert.
Stay safe and stay weather aware this monsoon season. Watch the full episode now!
Local law enforcement in Arizona are increasing efforts to address unlawful behaviors from visitors in the neighborhood where Nancy Guthrie resided. Following Guthrie’s disappearance from her home on January 31st, residents have reported a surge in dubious activities, prompting the sheriff’s office to take action.
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