Living Desert's Jaguar Turns Two

The Living Desert will celebrate the second birthday of its jaguar Saturday with the presentation of a specialty made birthday cake.

The celebration is set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the William Fries II Foundation's Monarch of the Desert Jaguar Exhibit.

"Magia has grown into an extraordinarily beautiful animal and, at 47 kg (103 pounds), her commanding appearance is as elegant as it is powerful. She will celebrate her birthday with a special treat made up of her favorite meat concealed inside a toy that she will happily tear apart," said Liz Hile, Curator of Animals at .

Stacey Johnson, CEO of the Living Desert, said jaguars are mostly solitary.

"We invite Magia's fans to come and celebrate the first of many happy, healthy birthdays with us and also learn how fascinating she is and how jaguars are a keystone species; playing an important role in stabilizing ecosystems and regulating the population of animals it hunts," Johnson said.  

There will be an informal "keeper chat" on the jaguar and the presentation of the birthday treat to Magia.

For more information about Monarch of the Desert or The Living Desert call (760) 346-5694 or visit www.livingdesert.org.