Environmentally Sensitive Species: The Ocelot

Image 1: Ocelot photo

Source: taken by one camera trap in 2013 by Daniel G. Rocha.

An environmentally sensitive species is on that can only survive within a narrow range of environmental conditions and any change can lead to their death and/or their extinction. Leopardus pardalis also known as the Ocelot is just one of many environmentally sensitive species in Trinidad and Tobago, which had been appointed as such under section 41 of the Environmental Management Act 2000. Ocelots are medium-sized, Neotropical and spotted and have the following properties: a body weight of 24 to 35 pounds, a body length of 70 to 100cm and a tail length of 27 to 45cm. These largely nocturnal cats occupy their keen sight and hearing to hunt animals such as rabbits, iguanas, fish and even frogs. Despite being a member of the cat family, they are no stranger to water enabling them to be great swimmers.

This specie is geographically distributed from the southern portion of the United States,South America, and Central America as well as Trinidad and Tobago. Did you know that Trinidad and Tobago are the only Caribbean island to house wild ocelots? Not only that, but they are the only wild cat present within the twin island state. Within the aforementioned countries, ocelots can be typically found in both dry scrublands as well as moist tropical forests. While residing in these habitats each ocelot has its own unique pattern present on their coat which not only allows them to camouflage while they rest during the day among the trees but also allows them an advantage while hunting for their prey at night. Though it may seem that these creatures are well off in their habitat, this is by far a fallacious statement. This is so as ocelots face copious threats to their population in Trinidad and Tobago.

The major threat to the ocelot population is due to ongoing anthropogenic activities. One such activity is known as habitat fragmentation, which refers to the loss of large expanses of habitats to smaller patches of area due to utilizing segments of these habitats to construct roads, houses and agricultural land in order to facilitate a growing human population. In addition to uprooting the habitats of these ocelots many vehicular collisions also claim their lives since many roads were constructed in forested areas. Ocelots that find themselves on the road ways may be killed by the oncoming vehicles.

Image 2: Photo showing the effects of habitat fragmentation as a road is built within the ocelot’s habitat. The ocelot was killed by an oncoming vehicle.

Source: cnc3.co.tt

As mentioned above agricultural lands were a part of the habitat fragmentation and as a result many ocelots became victim to retaliatory killing due to predation on livestock. Due to prey shortages in the wild many ocelots may stumble across farm land in search of food and are killed off by farmers protecting their crops and livestock. Apart from this as mentioned above ocelots are all coated in very unique patterns which make them eye catching and for some irresistible to not have as a pet. As a result of this they experience increase vulnerability to being sold during illegal pet trades or in the fur trade. All of these threats to the ocelot population mentioned puts them at an increased risk of genetic diversity loss, reduced population and at this rate maybe even extinction in the wild in Trinidad and Tobago.

Image 3:Vintage ocelot fur coat

source: Talitaferraz.com.br

All hope however is not lost, as there are a number of solutions to increase the ocelot population in Trinidad and Tobago. This includes reintroducing ocelots back into the wild. At the El Socorro Centre for Wildlife Conservation in Trinidad and Tobago there are currently three ocelots in captivity all of whom cannot be released into the wild however, they are bred and any young that can be successfully raised are re-introduced back into the rainforest. Currently there are only 150 ocelots in Trinidad and they have unfortunately been wiped out in Tobago. Other solutions include implementing wild life crossings, limiting or banning forest fragmentation by protecting the area, enforce the usage of silvicultural practices and constructing a flora and fauna assessment to encourage legislation to protect forested areas.

Ocelot rescue and rehabilitaion. Wild cat conservation. Kit. Rare animal. Wildlife conservation. Environment. Trinidad and Tobago. Endangered.

Image 4: photo showing a mother and her kitten.

Photo taken by Quentin Questel at the El Socorro for wildlife conservation centre

In addition to those ocelots held in captivity in the wildlife conservation centre, there are also ocelots held in captivity at the emperor valley zoo for more than 25 years with some ocelots living in captivity up to 15 years. The maximum number of ocelots held at a single time at the emperor valley zoo was 10.

Table 1 showing ocelot house and historical data at the emperor valley zoo

Source: Trinidad and Tobago field naturalist club

For those interested in furthering research about the ocelot population or interested in viewing real life photographs and videos, you can do so by clicking the videos below