It was on an artificial island in a reservoir, far from its usual territory. A long swim. If the jaguar swam in one continuous stretch, it would’ve covered the entire 1.54 miles in one go—an impressive feat. Why Did the Jaguar Swim So Far? According to Leandro Silveira, the lead biologist from the Jaguar Conservation Fund, there’s no clear reason why this specific jaguar swam to the island.