Ocelot (Leopardis Pardalis) by Abrielle Cogen

Ocelot (Leopardis Pardalis)

Abrielle Cogen

Source: Texas-Tamaulipas Ocelot

Description and Ecology

     The ocelot in a medium sized spotted cat that weights approximately 7-16 kilograms. Their body length ranges from 55-101.5 centimeters. Its coloring varies from pale grey to beige/brown, and they are marked with a variety of black spot and brown spots with black edges, often in parallel lines. Additionally, they have black rings around their tail, which is 27-45 centimeters long, and two black stripes going down the back of their head between their small, rounded ears. There are 11 different subspecies of ocelot, but only 2 living in the United States, the Texas- Tamaulipas Ocelot and the Arizona-Sonora Ocelot.

    Ocelots preferred habitats are thorn scrub or woodland with over 75% canopy cover.The density of these habitats is ideal for ocelots because it gives them a place to avoid predators, and its prey is more bountiful there. The ocelot eats small terrestrial mammals, such as opossums, armadillos, anteaters, rats, as well as some lizards and birds. They are mainly nocturnal because that gives them the best protection from enemies, along with highest chance of catching food, therefore they utilize their acute sense of hearing and sight to hunt. 

    Ocelots breed year round, but mating season peaks during autumn. Females first reproduce at around 18-30 months, and has an average of an 80 day gestation period before giving birth to 1-3 offspring per litter.      

Source: Thorn Scrub Habitat

Geographic and Population Changes         

   The ocelot resides in extremely southern Texas and Arizona, through Central America, and throughout the entirety of Southern America. They live throughout a range of 22 countries. There are as few as 100 known ocelots living in Texas and Arizona, however, they are more populous in their southern regions. There is an estimated 800,000 to 1,500,000 individuals living today. Previously, their range extended as far as through California, Arkansas, and  Louisiana, this has declined, though. 

Source: Ocelot Range

Listing Date and Type
    The ocelot was listed as endangered on January 4, 1974 by jurisdiction of the Endangered Species Act of 1969. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the Ocelot on the Red List as "Least Concern," they acknowledged, however, that populations are threatened and decreasing.  

Cause of Listing and Main Threats

    The main cause of the Ocelot's endangerment is habitat  destruction, which continues to be their main threat. In Texas, 95% of the thorn scrub that ocelots once thrived in has been altered, and Central America has less than half of its original woodland forest cover. Rapid population growth causes changes in land for agriculture and urbanization, decreasing ability of habitat restoration. 

    Ocelots were  also previously illegally hunted for the pet trade for their skins and furs during the 1960s and 1970s. At its peak of fur trade, in 1970, 140,000 ocelot skins were documented by United States customs. They were used for fashion, such as jackets, hats, shawls, and more, and seen as a symbol of status.This commercial exploitation has since been outlawed and seized, however it harmed their existence greatly. 

    Streets have also greatly affected ocelots, as they cause vehicle collisions and isolation.Out of 80 radio tagged individuals in Texas, vehicles were responsible for 45% of their deaths. Roads also reduced dispersal between populations, which leads to genetic and demographic isolation. Ocelots today are threatened mainly by habitat conversion, fragmentation, and  loss due to human population and development, roads, and isolation. 

Source: Ocelot Fur Jacket

Source: Ocelot Crossing

Recovery Plan
1. Evaluate, and determine how to protect and restore ocelots and their habitats along the borderlands of the US and Mexico, recover them to an extent to support populations of ocelot 
First, a habitat model must be created to asses populations and their habitats, this includes mapping the thorn scrub in Texas and Tamaulipas to see where it is suitable for ocelots currently, or could be reestablished.  Then, the current condition of the ocelots must be considered, along with the viable future condition based on area necessary to support them, predators and prey relationships, and ocelot dispersal behaviors. After all is considered, strategies must be created and executed in order to grow habitat, and restore thornscrub. This can include conservation easements, invasive grass control, planting native seedlings, ensuring water sources, and monitoring development. 
2. Reduce the effects of human population growth on ocelots and their mortality
Affects of humans on ocelots must be identified and quantified, such as the impacts of roads and international borders. Optimal areas for ocelot crossing structures will be found, designed, and constructed for maximum habitat connectivity. United States-Mexico borders impacts on ocelots shall be reduced through appropriate border crossings and enhanced habitat near the border. Additionally, future urbanization will be avoided through collaborations between wildlife management agencies and private landowners, developers, and companies to further protection. 
3. Advancement and progress in genetic fitness, demographic conditions, and health
Genetic variability between ocelots must be increased through translocation and/or artificial insemination, and populations should also be strengthened in numbers. Ocelots also must be protected from disease, parasites, and injury by collecting data on the physical health and reproductive standing, and accordingly creating a database, researching and instituting procedures for cures. Furthermore, studying will be done on ocelots and their competitors to create optimal habitat improvement. Environmental contaminations will also be evaluated to determine toxicity problems. 
4. Ensuring long term growth and activity for ocelots through education, regulations, partnerships
Partnerships with with citizens/ landowners, conservation organizations, and recovery teams should enhance ocelots ability to thrive. If necessary, institute regulations, especially if there are risks from oil or gas developments that could effect ocelots. Working with the Ocelot Recovery Team, education and outreach efforts should be made directed towards schools, private landowners, hunters, non-governmental organizations, and legislators. 
5. Continuous monitoring of recovery
Continuous, comprehensive, systematic, monitoring of ocelots must be done, and highly prioritized. Reports should be made on their progress annually, and should be analyzed and updated accordingly. 
6. Support international ocelot efforts in benefit of the ocelot
Support and provide conservation recommendations for other countries in which ocelots reside. 
Recovery Criteria
Down listing: 

• Qualify for "Least concern" under IUCN red list criteria for 5 years, and have threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and illegal poaching reduced, therefore reducing future endangerment risk 
• Texas-Tamaulipas Management Unit: At least 200 ocelots in Texas and 1,000 in Tamaulipas for 5 years 
• Arizona-Sonora Management Unit: At least 1,000 ocelots for 5 years 

De-listing: 

• Qualify for "Least concern" under IUCN redlist criteria for 10 years, with stable or growing populations, and have threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and illegal poaching reduced, therefore reducing future endangerment risk 
• Texas-Tamaulipas Management Unit: At least 200 ocelots in Texas and 1,000 in Tamaulipas for 10 years 
• Arizona-Sonora Management Unit: At least 1,000 ocelots for 10 years 

What can you do?
-Learn about ocelots
-Spread information and awareness, built support for ocelots in your community
-Use social media to gain awareness
-Communicate with local elected officials and share your concern
-Go to http://www.defenders.org/ocelot/what-you-can-do

More Resources
Ocelots in action!
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AtwPh0iKW0
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtrKE6ous5o
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS4fRKFYDsg

Fun Facts!
-http://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-ocelots/

Sources
“Basic Facts About Ocelots.” Defenders of Wildlife, www.defenders.org/ocelot/basic-facts.


Bradford, Alina. “Facts About Ocelots .” Live Science, Purch, 15 June 2016, www.livescience.com/55072-ocelot-facts.html.


Haemig PD  2012    Ecology of the Ocelot and Margay.  ECOLOGY.INFO #9
“Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis).” Wildlife Arkive, 18 Jan. 2011, www.arkive.org/ocelot/leopardus-pardalis/.

Paviolo, A., Crawshaw, P., Caso, A., de Oliveira, T., Lopez-Gonzalez, C.A., Kelly, M., De Angelo, C. & Payan, E. 2015. Leopardus pardalis. (errata version published in 2016) The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T11509A97212355. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T11509A50653476.en. 

“Recovery Plan for the Ocelot (Leopardis Pardalis).” Environmental Conservation Online System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, July 2016, ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/Ocelot%20Final%20Recovery%20Plan_Signed_July%202016_new%20(1).pdf.




Note: I apologize for the minor formatting errors (text colors and size varying, spacing issues, etc...), I attempted to fix them but when I publish the blog, it reverts back.