Not Your Average House Cat

The Outstanding Ocelot
By Sarah Locati 

Size of an adult ocelot compared to a human.
(http://catsinthewild.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html)

Background
According to the Ocelot Recovery Plan by the Fish and Wildlife Service, the ocelot is a nocturnal, medium-sized spotted cat, ranging from fifteen to thirty-five pounds, with gray, brown, black and white coloring. There are eleven subspecies of ocelot found in twenty-two countries throughout most of South and Central America and very little of the United States. The ocelot is only found in the southernmost parts of Texas and Arizona where two subspecies, the Texas/Tamaulipas and Arizona/Sonora ocelot, occur. Female ocelots have a gestation period of approximately 85 days and have an average of 2 kittens per litter. Their prey primarily consists of small rodents, fish, snakes, and birds (www.defenders.org). 

Geographic and Population Changes

Ocelot range
(http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ocelot_range.png)

As stated previously, ocelots occur very rarely in the United States. However, fossil records show that ocelots may have once roamed all throughout the southern United States. This aside, the range of ocelots throughout time has stayed relatively consistent and simply the density of populations has decreased. Ocelots are incredibly versatile animals whose habitat ranges from tropical rainforest, pine forests, savanna, and marshlands. Ocelot concentration is highest in areas of dense vegetation. Unfortunately habitat conversion by humans especially in the US is destroying much this. 95% of this habitat in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas has been transformed into agricultural land.This habitat destruction is causing isolation between ocelot populations, decreasing genetic exchange and promoting inbreeding. There are an estimated 800,000 ocelots worldwide yet previous numbers are widely debated (http://www.defenders.org/ocelot/basic-facts). Recently, some of the population has begun to replenish since hunting and export have been regulated and controlled.

Date and Type of Listing

Fun Fact: In Texas, the ocelot is protected by state law.
(http://zooborns.typepad.com/zooborns/ocelot/)

The ocelot was first listed as an endangered species in 1972 by the Endangered Species Conservation Act. It wasn't until 1982 however that it was listed in the United States and is still listed to this day. Today it is priority 5C, meaning because its recovery conflicts so much with development projects, it has a low potential for recovery. They are also considered "Least Concern" because their estimated population is above 50,000. However, the Texas subspecies, meets criteria "D" meaning the population less than 250 adults. The ocelot recovery plan was proposed August 26 of 2010.

Cause of listing and Main threats 

There are five reasons for the ocelot's listing which are all also continued threats. The largest is the destruction of habitat. This is almost entirely the fault of humans through development, logging, and other forms of fragmentation. Second is the overuse of the ocelot for recreational and commercial as well as educational and scientific purposes. Third is disease and predation. Though disease is inevitable for every species, predation is partially due to human hunting. Though hunting of the ocelot is only legal in Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, and Peru, it does occur throughout its whole range. Next is the issue of ineffective regulatory programs in existence prior to the Recovery Plan described here. The final reason for listing is a miscellaneous category that covers barriers such as roads and impenetrable country boarders. Without constant interaction with other groups, the genes of ocelot populations are becoming increasingly similar.

Recovery Plan

Fun Fact: The ocelot is also known as the Painted Leopard 
(http://a-z-animals.com/animals/ocelot/)

The recovery plan of the ocelot is a six part process. The first and main focus of the recovery program is to maintain, reconnect, and restore critical habitat. The program has already partnered with Mexico in attempt to solve this mutual concern.The second part of the plan is to reduce destruction caused by humans. Both of these effect the third part, improving genetic, demographic, and health conditions. Fourth is primarily about connections and education programs. Working with preexisting programs and landowners to educate the public on this issue is crucial in saving the species. The next goal is to monitor recovery and adapt the plan as new information is found. Lastly is the effort to support programs that are working to save the ocelot in the southern regions that we are not able to reach. Though this plan is intended to help ocelot populations everywhere they inhabit, most practically it will be implemented in the southern US and Mexico area. Should all these goals be met, criteria for down listing the ocelot to threatened could be met by 2030 and total delisting by 2040.

*all of the above information was found at http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/100826.pdf unless otherwise cited*

Fun Fact: Ocelots are one of the least known wild feline species in the world.
(http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2010/feb/ed_2/index.phtml) 

Want to know more?

Go to http://www.arkive.org/ocelot/leopardus-pardalis/ for more info

or

Visit http://www.defenders.org/ocelot/what-you-can-do to find out what you can do to help.