William Radke, manager of the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge near Douglas, Ariz., is worried the fencing "would have a negative effect on everything from the insects that would now be flying around the lights instead of pollinating the cactuses, to the birds that eat them, right up to the large predators like the jaguars." Snakes, turtles, wild turkeys and road runners also would be prevented from crossing, he told Reuters, and the bright lights would interfere with birds' ability to navigate by the stars. Radke also is concerned the barrier would cut off the highland trails used by "pioneer" jaguars crossing from Mexico and repopulating the Peloncillo mountains east of Douglas after decades of absence.
Radke explained that the jaguars are coming north because their habitats are filling up in Mexico. "If we cut off that access they are going to be restricted to areas where they are going to be in conflict with their own populations, it would have a negative impact," he told Reuters.