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First Ocelot Den Discovered in 20 years at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge!
Southwest Region (Arizona ● New Mexico ● Oklahoma ● Texas)
Contact: Hilary Swarts, Wildlife Biologist & Boyd Blihovde, Refuge Manager
www.fws.gov/refuge/laguna_atascosa
This past year was encouraging for the endangered ocelots of south Texas! Several females with kittens were documented using remote cameras placed in strategic locations where ocelots live and reproduce.
“I suspect that the past couple of years of abundant rainfall have made excellent breeding conditions for these endangered wild cats,” said Hilary Swarts, wildlife biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), stationed at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Precipitation leads to plant growth, which in turn provides food for the wildlife that ocelots like to eat, such as rodents, rabbits, and birds. “With plenty of food and water, and minimal disturbance from humans, female ocelots have all the resources they need to reproduce successfully,” said Swarts.
Of the seven known adult female ocelots at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, two are just now reaching the age to reproduce, three have recently been photographed with healthy-looking kittens following close behind, and one adult female has not yet been seen with any offspring. However, the seventh female brought researchers the most exciting discovery of all.
Using GPS technology, biologists tracked her movements and discovered the first confirmed ocelot den at the refuge in nearly twenty years. At the den site, researchers rejoiced to find a male ocelot kitten, weighing just shy of a pound, estimated to be three weeks old. The researchers took measurements and photos and left the area as quickly as possible in the interest of minimal disturbance. His mother, approximately 11 years old, was not at the den at the time, but returned soon after. USFWS researchers plan to track the kitten’s growth and progress in the coming years.
Swarts and other researchers track and monitor ocelots in south Texas, collecting data on their population numbers, health, habitat use, range, and reproduction. These new kittens are now part of this ongoing effort.
In addition to Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, private land plays a vital role in ocelot survival and recovery. Land owners that work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect ocelot habitat on their own property are also seeing camera evidence of new kittens.
Of the adult females captured on camera by USFWS biologists at the Yturria Conservation Easement in Willacy County, at least three have had kittens this past year. While ocelot females usually have only one kitten per litter, researchers were excited to see that one of the three mothers had twins.
“Data gathered in Willacy County is further evidence that private ranches are often great havens for wildlife and key partners in our conservation efforts. These private lands will be crucial to protecting habitat and wildlife into the future,” said Boyd Blihovde, Refuge Manager at Laguna Atascosa NWR.
As long as USFWS and its partners continue to work toward reducing threats to ocelots in south Texas and ocelots keep reproducing successfully, there’s great hope for the future of these majestic wild cats in the lower Rio Grande Valley!
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
The major threats facing the ocelot populations in Texas now result from (1) severe habitat loss and fragmentation, which has been dramatic and widespread. Where ocelots once roamed statewide and even beyond Texas' borders with Arkansas and Louisiana, approximately 95% of their obligate habitat in Texas, Tamaulipan Thornscrub, has been converted for human use, including primarily agriculture, oil and gas extraction, and urban development. This habitat loss and fragmentation has had multiple effects. Most obviously, there is overall less habitat available to ocelots for living, foraging, and reproducing, which means that the population is limited to a tiny fraction of the space they once occupied. As defenders of their home ranges, there are only so many ocelots that can fit in such a small area, thus limiting population growth. The drastic habitat fragmentation has also resulted in other dangers to these cats. As with any small, fragmented population, there is risk of (2) inbreeding and genetic research has confirmed this to be true with Texas ocelots. While the long-term effects of inbreeding on these ocelot populations are uncertain, it is a sound cautionary approach to assume that inbreeding is not to the populations' advantage and that some level of increased genetic diversity would be beneficial. Finally, habitat fragmentation has had another deadly effect on the population, one that accounts for nearly 50% of known ocelot mortalities. Once an ocelot has to move across the human matrix of development to find suitable habitat, it has no option but to cross roads, often resulting in (3) death by vehicular collision. This is the most urgent of the risks the ocelots of Texas are currently facing.
- Hilary Swarts, Ph.D. Wildlife Biologist