Ocelots are the largest terrestrial mammal predators on Trinidad. But there is little to no data on their population status, distribution, and behavior on the island. By better understanding these wild cats, researchers can help to protect them and their tropical forest habitats.
Ocelots were once extensively hunted for their fine fur with its distinctive stripes and spots. While illegal hunting still occurs in some areas, the biggest threats to these wild cats today include habitat destruction and road kills, the latter of which frequently occurs when ocelots travel outside of protected areas.
These nocturnal animals – roughly twice the size of domestic cats – have been studied in many regions of Central and South America. However, there is little to no information about the population status of ocelots living on the island of Trinidad.
Trinidad provides a unique context for researchers to study these animals, as larger wild cats, including pumas and jaguars that typically influence ocelot ecology, are not found on the island. They are therefore the “top cat.” But it is unknown how this status impacts their range distribution, activity patterns, prey and habitat use, and their behavior. By better understanding the population of these wild cats in Trinidad, researchers hope to make the ocelot the face of forest conservation on the island – raising awareness and inspiring policies to protect these animals and their habitat.......................
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