Texas ocelot conservation. 77 Wildlife Crossings.

Texas ocelot conservation ” “You’ll often see, especially on an older male, scars on A group of government agencies and conservation nonprofits have come together to develop a program that would bolster the ocelot’s population in Texas. While Ocelot populations once ranged from Arizona to the edge of Louisiana, current U. , 2021; San Antonio, TX – March 20, 2024—East Foundation, a designated Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) with cattle ranching operations across six ranches in South Texas, held an event on March 19, 2024, at its El Sauz ranch, where the U. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Hello everyone! I would love to share what I’ve been doing for the past few months. One of the biggest community events Defenders co-hosts in Texas is the annual Ocelot Conservation Festival. Threats to the ocelot’s survival include habitat destruction. These habitats are often disconnected from each other, and so ocelots must run a gauntlet of roads and open areas. Deep, fertile clay or loamy soils are generally needed to produce suitable habitat. Odessa American 700 N. 42) program to conduct our PVA for an ocelot population located in Cameron County, Texas. Fish and Wildlife Service Bi–National Ocelot Recovery Team Members Introduction In 1990, Harwell and Siminski published The Listed Cats of Texas and Arizona Recovery Plan (With Emphasis on the Ocelot) through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The Texas Tribune. Funded by U. The cat is still illegally hunted for its fur and body parts. You can learn more about these efforts in the recent PBS Nature documentary " American Ocelot ," now available to stream in the US. 4 and 34. Conservation groups found a sign of hope, but scientists say it's too soon to celebrate. Ocelots were once found across much of the Lone Star State, but today, fewer than 100 of these wild cats are thought to survive in the United States, roaming between south Texas and Mexico. This endangered wi Sharon Wilcox, Ph. Endangered Species Act Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller says saving the butterflies is bad for Texas, because we can’t have nice things. La Feria Ocelot & Brush Clearing – 1949. 03 ocelots km-2. , the ocelot is listed as endangered, with only a small population Of the two, private lands have been identified as holding immense conservation value; over 90% of listed species on the Endangered Species Act list occur on private lands (Bennett et al. The smaller Refuge Ocelot Population (16–20 ocelots) is found in and Ocelot Conservation: Protecting the Spotted Felid’s Future. • Have donated approximately $7,000 since 2004 to help monitor and protect Kemp's ridley sea turtles, as well I've spent years in Texas capturing the first-ever high-quality footage of American ocelots in the wild, meeting with stakeholders along the way to raise awareness about conservation solutions. One of our science impacts at East Foundation is Ocelot Conservation, and the trapping season is about to begin again for our ocelot research technicians and Skip to main content LinkedIn identifies areas important for ocelot conservation, (2) develop a habitat suitability model for ocelots in southern Texas, (3) link this model to an ocelot metapopulation model for viabil-ity ABOUT: SUPPORT OCELOT RECOVERY . In the study, potential reintroduction sites for ocelots were identified based on ocelots’ ecological needs plus socio-political realities likely to impact So when two conservation groups learned that DNA from a male ocelot killed in 2021 by a motorist dozens of miles away in Hidalgo County suggested a previously unknown population of the animals Wildlife research scientists from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the East Foundation break ground on a new ocelot conservation facility on Wednesday. Chief Curator Kevin Hodge says Jack and Genevive – the two ocelots on display at the zoo – have thrived under their caretaker’s controlled environment. (2021) used contemporary ocelot geolocation data to We’re working to prevent development that will cause harm to the species and its preferred thorn forest habitat. “Ocelots have been isolated through walls of urban Conservation of dense stands of mixed thornshrub, which serve as habitat for the Ocelot and Jaguarundi, is vital to the survival of these cats in Texas. This endangered wi Conservation Status: Ocelots were once found throughout Texas and east to Arkansas and Louisiana in the United States. Can be ordered with the International Symbol of Access with signed Form VTR-214. Today, ocelot presence in the U. It is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Margarita. Date Recorded March 10, 2022 Interviewer David Todd KINGSVILLE — In the early 1980s, many scientists believed the endangered ocelot, a spotted wildcat that once roamed as far north as Arkansas and Louisiana, had died out in Texas. McALLEN — It’s been more than 50 years since the South Texas ocelot — a medium-sized spotted wildcat known for parallel stripes running down its neck — was put on the federal endangered Ocelots once ranged from Mexico up into the southern states, including Texas, Arizona, Arkansas and Louisiana. ” Habitat destruction, over-hunting and vehicle collisions are some of the key threats to the animal. Invited by the Kingsville campus to deliver the annual faculty lecture there, Tewes threw his darts at where he believes Texas ocelot conservation is “on the wrong track,” and where it ought to focus on saving the species before its time runs out. Our work throughout the year has McALLEN — It’s been more than 50 years since the South Texas ocelot — a medium-sized spotted wildcat known for parallel stripes running down its neck — was put on the federal endangered species list. No need to wait for vehicle registration renewal. The back of the ears is black with a central Ocelot Conservation Day. August 1, 2023. We evaluated the use of United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) soil surveys to identify potential restoration sites by examining ocelot habitat The ocelot is much larger than its cousins the margay and the oncilla, although they bear a striking resemblance. Project Powderhorn Ranch. S will require cooperation between the federal government and private landowners, and the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife The ocelot Leopardus pardalis population in the United States was listed as endangered in 1982, with only two known isolated breeding populations occurring in southern Texas. It was done along an 11. Ocelots, Leopardus pardalis, are one of the most agile, secretive, and elusive felines alive today that call the Rio Grande Valley home. We recorded ocelot presence on one study site with an abundance estimate of three individuals and a density estimate of 0. ocelot, with fewer than 100 breeding ocelots now living in a very small part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife In the early 1980s, many scientists believed the endangered ocelot, a spotted wildcat that once roamed as far north as Arkansas and Louisiana, had died out in Texas. Friends of the Wildlife CONSERVATION GENETICS OF ENDANGERED OCELOT IN TEXAS AND NORTHERN MEXICO Grant #: E-77-R Contract #187221 JAN E. , Research Veterinarian, Ocelot Research and Conservation on Private Ranches. This effort has Fish and Wildlife Service is proud to be a partner in this crucial mission to increase genetic diversity and expand the ocelot’s range in South Texas, and we look forward to working with all involved to see ocelots thrive in the Lone Star State. Fewer than 100 of these beautiful neotropical wildcats remain at the very southern tip of Texas, and vehicle collisions are the largest source of mortality for this small population. We designed an assessment to identify potential sites for reintroduction of the federally endangered ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis pardalis ) in Texas, a state where over 97% of lands are privately Sharon Wilcox, Ph. [68] [6] Much of the reintroduction effort is taking place on private lands. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, there is an exciting opportunity to construct a captive breeding facility at Texas A&M – Kingsville and reintroduce In the plan, the ocelot is considered a “species of greatest conservation need. 2 million to further ocelot conservation. Shari Wilcox is the Senior Texas Representative for Defenders of Wildlife, where she leads the organization’s ocelot conservation program as well as many other initiatives to conserve, protect, and restore threatened and endangered species across the state. The Texas State Aquarium welcomed Milla, who arrived from the ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque, New Mexico in late March 2021 as part of the ocelot Species Survival Plan (SSP). Producing the first ocelot offspring is Ocelots in Texas are threatened by habitat loss, predation, hunting, trapping, disease and wildfires, and also face low genetic diversity due to inbreeding and the risk of In what is seen as a major step in sustaining the legacy of the United States ocelot, the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) at Texas A&M University-Kingsville The project, “Developing and Assessing Strategies for Reintroducing Ocelots to Historical Texas Habitat,” will explore the feasibility of reintroducing the endangered ocelot to a In 2021, a male ocelot was killed after being hit by a car on Highway 281, just south of Linn, Texas. In 2022, we are proud to have partnered with FWS and the Gladys Porter Zoo to sponsor the free entry of more than 250 local children to the Ocelot Conservation Festival in Brownsville, Texas. However, Wilkins is quick to point out that the effort to recover Texas ocelots is still in the early, exploratory phase. The effort represents the world’s second-ever attempt to An Ocelot Conservation Facility to breed ocelots and prepare them for life in the wild is expected to begin construction in Kingsville, Texas in 2024. Producing the first ocelot offspring who are ready for life in the wild is expected to take a few years. When you visit the Aquarium, you don't just make memories, you help us make a difference. Mechanical or chemical brush control, including prescribed In the early 1980s, many scientists believed the endangered ocelot, a spotted wildcat that once roamed as far north as Arkansas and Louisiana, had died out in Texas. Figure 2: Cincinnati Zoo's Sihil, the Ocelot, at Gladys Porter Zoo's annual Ocelot Conservation Festival with her trainer, photographed by Amanda Nichol Rodriguez in 2014. The nine project partners, including the Texas A&M University Natural Resources Institute, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife at the Cincinnati Zoo, East Foundation, the University of Tennessee Comparative and Experimental Medicine and The Center for Wildlife Health, KINGSVILLE (Oct. Tips for Ordering a Plate. Ensuring they have a future in the U. With the Texas’ population continuing to grow, there’s a critical need for more natural recreational spaces close to the state’s most populous urban areas. Ocelots once prowled throughout Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Arizona. Ocelot roadkills are an important problem potentially threatening ocelot persistence in southern Texas. Many programs, policies, and actions have occurred in the name of ocelot conservation. Since the 1990s, over A male ocelot killed on a Texas highway this January. Defenders of Wildlife is a co-sponsor of this event and has been involved in ocelot conservation for several years in South Texas. Fish & Wildlife The ocelot Leopardus pardalis population in the United States was listed as endangered in 1982, with only two known isolated breeding populations occurring in southern Texas. , cordgrass [Spartina sp. Once found throughout the state, the confirmation of an ocelot 50 miles outside of With fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the US, the ocelot is critically endangered, genetically isolated, and only exists in Texas. They hope to break ground this year and release the first ocelots in 2025 or 2026. Lombardi et al. 2022-2023 WILDLIFE CROSSINGS Conservation at the Texas State Aquarium; Conservation at the Texas State Aquarium. You can assist conservation groups and scientists by following and interacting with them on social media. First Texas has constructed 27 wildlife crossings, many in ocelot-occupied areas, but more are needed, and drivers in those places should also slow down, a new op-ed argues. Introduction During the 1800s the range of ocelots Leopardus pardalis albescens in the USA included east and central Texas, western Louisiana and Wildlife research scientists from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the East Foundation break ground on a new ocelot conservation facility on Wednesday. S. 2004). Part of our mission at the Texas State Aquarium is to support wildlife conservation. 26 on KVEO NBC 23. We used the VORTEX (Version 9. KEYWORDS conservation planning, mammals, North America, private lands, remote sensing, threatened species 1 | INTRODUCTION Felids are KINGSVILLE (August 3, 2023) — Researchers with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) at Texas A&M University-Kingsville have been awarded two contracts from the Department of the Interior’s U. TX E-108-R Endangered and Threatened Species Conservation Defining areas of potential ocelot habitat Prepared by: Dr. The goal of the Agreement is to provide a net conservation benefit to the recovery of this species. “Over-harvest of The purpose of this Agreement is to outline conservation actions that the East Foundation and other Participating Landowners will implement on their enrolled properties for the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). Description: Ocelots have beautiful striped and spotted markings. Since their arrival, the ocelots have been acclimating to The collaboration includes Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife, in partnership with East Foundation, the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife at the Cincinnati Zoo, the University of Tennessee Comparative and Experimental Medicine Program More recently we have partnered with the East Foundation and Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute—home to many professional members of the Club—on ocelot conservation. Interview Audio Excerpt . A Safe Harbor Agreement is a voluntary agreement involving private or other non-federal property owners whose actions contribute to the recovery of species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act This study was conducted by the East Foundation, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, and Texas A&M University Natural Resources Institute as part of the Geospatial Team in the Recover Texas Ocelots project. Since 1997, this festival has helped educate thousands about the plight of the endangered ocelot and all funds raised at the festival go to research and conservation to benefit the ocelot. Wildlife-vehicle collisions are the primary known cause of ocelot mortality, and mitigating for this source of mortality is essential to ensure the persistence of this federally endangered felid. Still, focused conservation efforts like rewilding just might be the key to This work suggests several conservation strategies and tactics involving important road-habitat interfaces, road underpasses, and fences that may help offset ocelot roadkills, particularly along road segments where practical management is not effective. However, due to hunting and habitat loss, there are fewer than 120 known age of two breeding populations) for ocelot conservation management. The project got another boost this summer, when the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville awarded the USFWS nearly $12. 77 Wildlife Crossings. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of an application for an enhancement of survival permit pursuant to the Endangered Species Act for the proposed East Foundation Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement for Ocelot Reintroduction in South Texas. The Texas Conservation License Plates, sometimes called specialty, vanity, personalized or custom plates come in several designs: The bluebonnet, the horned lizard or horny toad, the white-tailed deer, and the largemouth bass. ] and invasive guinea grass [Megathyrsus maximus]) understories (Lehnen et al. The Gladys Porter Zoo is an oasis nestled in the center of Brownsville, Texas. The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is listed as endangered by the U. Fish & Wildlife Service 1997) need to be further explored and used to encourage landowners to retain and expand ocelot habitat (Fulbright and Bryant 2002), and new programs specific to southern Texas that provide financial benefits to landowners Dr. , camera trap, scat, Incentives provided by the Farm Bill (Ports 2003), conservation easements, and Safe Harbor Agreements (U. The East The episode, which will also be available for streaming on NBC. Ocelots are limited to just two isolated and inbred populations along the Gulf Coast, totaling The elusive and solitary ocelot, a small wildcat with markings similar to a leopard or jaguar, once roamed a better part of the southwestern U. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Gladys Porter Zoo Help Keep the Ocelot in Texas! Fun for the whole family! Saturday March 23, 2013 10am to 4pm Games and ocelot information exhibits. 2 lb) on average. Reintroducing an endangered species to privately owned lands also requires the Over the next year, the partners plan to construct an Ocelot Conservation Facility in Kingsville, which will be used to breed and raise ocelots. In order for ocelots to be considered recovered in the Help us Keep the Ocelot in Texas! Thanks to our partners who helped make the 2011 Ocelot Conservation Festival possible, including: Cincinnati Zoo for providing Sihil, a beautiful female ocelot that does a wonderful job of displaying the species' tremendous agility and strength! And handlers/educators Kathy and Alicia. Introduction During the 1800s the range of ocelots Leopardus pardalis albescens in the USA included east and central Texas, western Louisiana and About the Wildlife Conservation License Plates: Only $30/year*—with $22 going to benefit native Texas wildlife. (2021) used contemporary ocelot geolocation data to Conservation groups found a sign of hope, but scientists say it's too soon to celebrate. No decision-making on ocelot reintroduction is occurring at this time, but collaborators are looking Texas is home to the last two remaining populations of ocelots in the United States. ” About the Ocelot The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a small, wild cat species. Then, on a late winter day in Mother ocelot and two kittens on Yturria Conservation Easement. Ocelots are limited to just two isolated and inbred populations along the Gulf Coast, totaling ocelot habitat restoration an important factor in the cat’s recovery. Customs and Border Protection, the grant will support genetic research and restoration of thorn scrub forests—prime ocelot Ocelot roadkills are an important problem potentially threatening ocelot persistence in southern Texas. A TEXAS CONSERVATION STORY June 9, 2021. Conservation concerns The ocelot Leopardus pardalis population in the United States was listed as endangered in 1982, with only two known isolated breeding populations occurring in southern Texas. While there have been several ocelot sightings in Arizona recently, all of them were TEXAS Grant No. But because of trapping, poisoning and habitat loss, these wild, spotted cats nearly disappeared over the last couple of So when two conservation groups learned that DNA from a male ocelot killed in 2021 by a motorist dozens of miles away in Hidalgo County suggested a previously unknown population of the animals, Ocelots are known to rely almost exclusively on thornscrub, a habitat type that is slowly disappearing from Texas ranchlands. The event was held on Sunday and the Defenders of Wildlife A new lab publication in Landscape Ecology explores the landscape predictors of road mortality for the south Texas ocelot, a critically endangered felid. October 21, 2021. Grant Ave. finandfurfilms. Its northern range reaches the southern tip of Texas with fewer than 80 ocelots remaining in two small isolated populations. There might be more ocelots in Texas than first thought, scientists have said. In the United States, ocelots have Most known for directing the documentary The River and The Wall (SXSW Award Winner) and for producing Unbranded(Mountainfilm Audience Award Winner), Masters studied wildlife biology at Texas A&M and founded Fin and Fur Films, a production company specializing in shorts featuring wildlife research, conservation, and activism. We incorporated International Union for Conservation of Nature recommendations in to a geospatial analysis evaluating potential reintroduction The episode highlights ocelot conservation in South Texas and will air at 9 a. SUBMITTED BY: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. 30PSE 0. " — U. edu RODNEY L. Other common names for this cat include painted leopard, tigrillo, maracaya, and tirica. Connie The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a small wild cat species that currently occurs from Northern Argentina up to the southern tip of the United States, where ocelots occur in Texas and sometimes in Arizona. An unfortunate ocelot was found to have been hit by a car in 2021 in Hidalgo County—just south The facility will be a state-of-the-art complex dedicated to the advancement of ocelot research with the mission of understanding the intricacies of ocelot behavior and health, and But in 2021, several academic institutions, organizations, and private landowners came together to nurture a new ocelot population in Texas, with the hope of eventually taking In Texas, animal or plant species of conservation concern may be listed as threatened or endangered under the authority of state law and/or under the U. Madison had died out in Texas. A long and uncertain process. Ocelots are native of the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. Ocelot location data (i. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Gladys Porter Zoo Help Keep the Ocelot in Texas! Fun for the whole family! Saturday March 23, 2013 10am to 4pm McALLEN — It’s been more than 50 years since the South Texas ocelot — a medium-sized spotted wildcat known for parallel stripes running down its neck — was put on the federal endangered Other proposed conservation measures in the agreement include ocelot monitoring, habitat management and research. Its coat tends to be more blotched than spotted, and the chain-like blotches and spots are bordered with black, with a lighter Based in Odessa, Texas, the Odessa American was founded in 1940. Shrubland habitat in Texas has had more than 95% of its native rangeland converted to agriculture or development within the Lower Rio Grande Valley This work suggests several conservation strategies and tactics involving important road-habitat interfaces, road underpasses, and fences that may help offset ocelot roadkills, particularly along road segments where practical management is not effective. South Texas’s remoteness, infrequent vehicle traffic, and lack of urban development are all factors that make the region safe for at least one of the two ocelot populations in the state. Conservation concerns for ocelots include loss of dense thornshrub habitat, Texas ocelot reintroduction offers new recovery hopes. Research and quotes “The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a federally listed,endangered cat native to south Texas. March 17 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Free « Homeschool Day; Ocelot Conservation Day » Join the U. McALLEN — It’s been more Conservation issues. HONEYCUTT, KINGSVILLE (August 3, 2023) — Researchers with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) at Texas A&M University-Kingsville have been awarded two contracts from the Department of the Interior’s U. , Principle Investigator, SPEC Lab, Assistant Professor of Carnivore Ecology, Caesar Kleberg WRI Gisel Garza, Director, Texas & Mexico, American Forests. According to a release, the arrival of Iggy represents the zoo’s ongoing Over the next year, East Foundation and partners plan to construct an Ocelot Conservation Facility in Kingsville, Texas, which will be used to breed and raise ocelots. In an especially dismal We hope everyone got the most of their experience at Ocelot Conservation Day yesterday! So many of you showed up for a great cause and hopefully learned some Geographic ranges and areas of geographic overlap of ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), bobcats (Lynx rufus), and coyotes (Canis latrans) in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America (IUCN, 2016)Studies examining bobcat–ocelot interactions in Texas seem to suggest both species mutually co‐occur in the same areas, with spatial coexistence facilitated by Recovering Texas Ocelots is an innovative endangered species recovery project led by partners representing agencies, universities, non-profits, and private stakeholders. Landscape planning can provide options for the resolution of traffic-ocelot conflicts. Cost will be pro-rated. Proceeds benefit Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. The underside of the body, tail, and insides of the limbs is whitish. Big Bend Park Soon a Reality – 1943 . We are Texas ocelot reintroduction offers new recovery hopes. Is the ocelot, the endangered South Texas wildcat, making a comeback? Story by Berenice Ocelot Conservation Facility for Breeding and Wilding. “South Texas is one of the fastest growing regions in terms of land conservation,” Martinez said. Awareness and support are The elusive and solitary ocelot, a small wildcat with markings similar to a leopard or jaguar, once roamed a better part of the southwestern U. ocelot, a small and beautiful cat that is often called the little leopard. Ocelots are one of the most elusive and solitary animals in North America. The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is an endangered cat with less than 120 individuals remaining in the • Organize and host the annual Ocelot Conservation Festival held in Harlingen, Texas. The The phantom feline of South Texas is ready for its comeback. The “dots” are fragments of habitat – primarily thick, dense thornscrub – that the ocelot uses. Events like the Ocelot Conservation Festival offer the opportunity for Texans in the RGV and throughout the state to discover their wild neighbor, and to learn more about how they can help join the effort to save this Texas native. In collaboration with the U. Most often this involves liking, commenting on and reposting their content to share with One is to describe the current conservation status of the ocelot in the United States. A Look At Sabine Ranch . Ocelots are about 30 - 41 inches long and weigh For ocelots in Texas, conservation means connecting the dots. The ocelot is a medium-sized wild cat found throughout the Americas from Argentina to the southwestern U. Lisanne Petracca, assistant professor of carnivore ecology at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville, spoke to the Texas Standard about the project. Researchers at CKWRI are evaluating how ocelots are In Texas, Ocelots occur in the dense thorny shrub lands of the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Rio Grande Plains. 7 in) at the shoulders and weighs between 7 and 15. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION. With 31 acres of lush tropical plants and some 1,600 animals, the Gladys Porter Zoo is known for its successes in uals persisting in deep South Texas along the Gulf of Mexico (Figure 1, Lombardi et al. This Ocelots are unique to Texas, and a potential source of pride for the state, like the grizzly bear in California or the panther in Florida. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is asking for the public’s assistance in the recovery of the ocelot, a highly endangered wild cat found in deep South Texas. Conservation concerns One of her main roles is working on ocelot conservation planning along with the East Foundation science team and partner organizations. Its location intrigued conservationists and researchers. ocelot distribution is restricted from southern Texas to the border with Tamaulipas, Mexico (Haines et al. is severely limited. 0:31. Corpus Christi, TX - The Texas State Aquarium proudly welcomes two young, sister ocelots named Milla and Leeloo, who arrived from the ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque, New Mexico in late March 2021 as part of the ocelot Species Survival Plan (SSP). To support ocelot reintroduction in Texas, an Ocelot Conservation Facility will be established in Kingsville, Texas. According to a release, the arrival of Iggy represents the zoo’s ongoing Texas Ocelot License Plate. Habitat loss and fragmentation are the primary causes of its decline. Order Online: It's identifies areas important for ocelot conservation, (2) develop a habitat suitability model for ocelots in southern Texas, (3) link this model to an ocelot metapopulation model for viabil-ity The present study tested if the wildilfe exits are correctly used by medium-sized carnivores in Texas. Their beautiful fur is a creamy color covered with reddish-brown spots outline in black. e. A short film on the ocelot work we have supported in South Texas is available for free viewing through the end of December 2020. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) officially approved a Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement for ocelot reintroduction BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Gladys Porter Zoo hosted an Ocelot Conservation Fest to celebrate Ocelot Conservation Day. Iggy's arrival is a testament to Gladys Porter Zoo's ongoing commitment to wildlife conservation, particularly the effort to boost the dwindling population of ocelots in South Texas. It’s been more than 50 years since the South Texas ocelot – a medium-sized spotted wildcat – was put Philip Miller, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group and U. In the United States, ocelots are federally endangered primarily due to loss of habitat – ocelots require dense thornscrub environments to thrive. [79] Our assessment provided information for ocelot conservation planning and established a framework for incorporating private land data into large-scale assessments of wildlife reintroduction sites on private lands. Michael Tewes' narrative from the 37th Annual Faculty Lecture explains the conservation challenges facing the elusive ocelot, a decoratively spotted feline adorning natural areas in the Western Hemisphere. They are well camouflaged against the Lower Rio Grande Valley's Help us Keep the Ocelot in Texas! Thanks to our partners who helped make the 2011 Ocelot Conservation Festival possible, including: Cincinnati Zoo for providing Sihil, a beautiful female ocelot that does a wonderful job of displaying the species' tremendous agility and strength! And handlers/educators Kathy and Alicia. They asked: What was Laguna Atascosa Refuge is working to reduce ocelot deaths from vehicle collisions and bring ocelots from Mexico to strengthen their numbers in Texas. 2013 Ocelot Conservation Day Sponsored by Friends of Laguna Atascosa,the U. Consequently, there are regions within the ocelot’s range that are actively implementing conservation measures for “If we’re successful, we’ll have a new ocelot population somewhere else in Texas that’s not threatened by the same risks as the current ocelot population,” Wilkins said. 9, 2024) — In what is seen as a major step in sustaining the legacy of the United States ocelot, the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) at Texas A&M University-Kingsville broke ground on an Ocelot Conservation Facility on Wednesday afternoon at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Center. an additional ocelot population in Texas is likely needed to supplement the existing populations and achieve abundance thresholds established for ocelot recovery from endangered status in the United States (U. Mexico, coastal south Texas, and the sky islands of south-eastern Arizona south to northern Argentina and Uruguay (Figure 1a). Big Bend Park Soon a Reality – 1943. Conservation of Nature, in the United States and Mexico, the ocelot is listed as federally endangered, and it is listed as critically endangered within several states of Brazil, as well as vulnerable in Colombia and Argentina. Lindsay recently obtained her Accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1978. They What to do if you see an Ocelot The U. The word ocelot comes from the Aztec word "tlalocelot" meaning "field tiger". Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, there is an exciting opportunity to construct a captive breeding facility at Texas A&M – Kingsville and reintroduce We also engage in education and community outreach to bring awareness for their conservation needs. Over the past two decades the U. , Senior Texas Representative, Defenders of Wildlife Lisanne Petracca, Ph. The region A refuge support group, the Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, recently worked with state agencies to create a specialty license plate to support ocelot conservation in Texas. Known scientifically as Leopardus pardalis, this feline moves with stealth and agility through its Conservation Status: Ocelots were once found throughout Texas and east to Arkansas and Louisiana in the United States. The Ocelot Conservation Leopardus pardalis, ocelot, survey, Texas. Less than 80 ocelots live in the United States and most of these live on private ranches in Ocelot populations and habitat in Texas have been restored and protected by the U. Fish & Wildlife Service Ocelot Monitoring and Recovery Program, M. , 2021). Fish and Wildlife Service totaling nearly $14 million for ocelot conservation efforts and to research possible impacts of border barrier infrastructure Saving an endangered species: New Ocelot Conservation Facility to be built in South Texas This announcement comes during the 24th annual Ocelot Conservation Festival, a week long event highlighting the plight of critically endangered ocelots and efforts to help them recover from their low numbers. The smaller Refuge Ocelot Population (16–20 ocelots) is found in and Saving an endangered species: New Ocelot Conservation Facility to be built in South Texas The two Texas ocelot populations occur in vegetation communities containing live oak (Quercus virginiana), palm (Sabal spp), and mesquite (Propsis glandulosa) woodlands and forests with open to dense patches of thornshrub and herbaceous (i. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) in the National Wildlife Refuge System and at conservation Captive-bred ocelots, with a mix of genes from Texas and elsewhere, will be released on East Foundation’s San Antonio Viejo Ranch, west of the current range. The Houston Zoo has four of the wild cats with big eyes and golden fur coats decorated with black spots and bands. “[Mexican ocelots] will There might be more ocelots in Texas than first thought, scientists have said. We, the U. Status Endangered, Listed 3/28/1972 Description Ocelots are members of the cat family. The Texas State Aquarium proudly welcomed Milla from the ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in late March 2021 as part of the Ocelot Species Survival Plan (SSP). Ocelots have both solid and open dark spots which sometimes run in lines along the body. com and Peacock the following day, focuses on ocelot conservation efforts in South Texas. Recovery of endangered ocelots in Texas recently hit a new milestone with a Safe Harbor Agreement approved by the the U. Since the 1990s, over Hunter Education Print a Certification Card Firearm & Hunting 101 Courses Instructor LOGIN Instructor Resources Become an Instructor Target Talk - Hunter Education News Texas Hunting Accident Reports Student Resources Bowhunter Education FAQ Expand South Texas is home to the last remaining breeding populations of ocelots in the U. The International Union for the The collaboration includes Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife, in partnership with East Foundation, The project is currently only exploring scientific material and existing ocelot research to assess paths forward for ocelot conservation. However, due to hunting and habitat loss, there are fewer than 120 known Wildlife research scientists from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the East Foundation break ground on a new ocelot conservation facility on Wednesday. Today, if you want to see an ocelot for yourself, your best bet is a zoo. D. In order for ocelots to be considered recovered in the Anticipated plans include establishing an Ocelot Conservation Facility in Kingsville, forecasted to be operational within the next year, signaling new hope for these striking South Texas natives The project got another boost this summer, when the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville awarded the USFWS nearly $12. , Suite 800 Odessa, TX 79761-4590 (432) 337-4661 In honor of the Ocelot Conservation Festival, we are going to take a look at the ocelot’s current and historic range. The larger of the remaining populations in Texas is the Ranch Oce-lot Population, which exists on privately owned working ranches in Willacy and Kenedy Counties. The challenge for the Texas Parks and 2013 Ocelot Conservation Day Sponsored by Friends of Laguna Atascosa,the U. Fish and Wildlife Service. Recovering Texas Ocelots is an innovative endangered species recovery project led by partners representing agencies, universities, non-profits, and private stakeholders. Of the adult females captured on camera by agency 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 Ocelot Odyssey: Conservation Using Innovative Management, Monitoring, and Research for Ocelots at New U. The application package includes the safe harbor agreement and a draft screening form Prime ocelot habitat in Texas is very small – only about 1% of the state would be suitable today – so supporting a vibrant population would be a challenge. . 2022-2023 WILDLIFE CROSSINGS The episode highlights ocelot conservation in South Texas and will air at 9 a. An unfortunate ocelot was found to have been hit by a car in 2021 in Hidalgo County—just south of Linn, Texas Scientific Name: Leopardus pardalis The ocelot is a medium sized cat found from Texas to Northern Argentina. com Of the two, private lands have been identified as holding immense conservation value; over 90% of listed species on the Endangered Species Act list occur on private lands (Bennett et al. , 2018). “If we’re not able to increase the carrying capacity to sustain the ups and downs that occur with population variability, they’re Ocelot . Available for your car, truck, motorcycle, boat trailer, travel trailer or RV. These efforts will help increase ocelot populations in Texas by improving their genetic diversity and protecting them from natural threats such as Texas is home to the only breeding population of ocelots in the U. Fish and Wildlife Service and the East Foundation. Only two populations of these bobcat sized spotted and Texas is home to the last populations of the U. Researchers estimate that only 50 to 80 of these magnificent and mysterious cats exist in Texas. committed to ocelot recovery and conservation, as evidenced by the creation of my position and the support of ongoing research into ocelot genetics, movement ecology, assisted reproduction, and habitat restoration. In that spirit, we are excited to share ways that you can help ocelot conservation from Texas and from all around the world! 1. Fish and Wildlife Service,2016). Conservation at the Texas State Aquarium; Conservation at the Texas State Aquarium. Despite hundreds of millions of dollars spent on land acquisition, research, and Based in Odessa, Texas, the Odessa American was founded in 1940. Shari is the past associate director of the Center for Culture, History, and Conservation Highlight. Be a message amplifier. Your gift will promote ocelot conservation in Texas by supporting the work of private landowners and public agencies working in partnership for ocelot recovery. Habitat preservation around the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, in the Lower Rio Grande Val-ley, and in counties directly north of this area is particularly important. Fish and Wildlife Service This study was conducted by the East Foundation, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, and Texas A&M University Natural Resources Institute as part of the Geospatial Team in the Recover Texas Ocelots project. The ocelot weighs between 17-24 pounds, stands 16-20 inches tall, and reaches lengths of 48-64 inches. North Texas Ocelots – 1950-1958. on Saturday, Oct. Ocelots are going to be bred and raised at a planned Ocelot Conservation Facility in Kingsville, Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) announced last month. Those ocelots will be Each organization brings unique and relevant expertise in wildlife science and conservation. Support of alternative had died out in Texas. The facility will take at least a year to Ocelot Research and Conservation on Private Lands in South Texas presented by Lindsay Martinez, Research Program Coordinator for the East Foundation. North Texas experienced a spike in ocelots killed by hunters in the 1950s. Posts published in “ocelot” North Texas Ocelots – 1950-1958. Fish and Wildlife Service totaling nearly $14 million for ocelot conservation efforts and to research possible impacts of border barrier infrastructure The project generated a wealth of knowledge on the Texas ocelot population that will be incorporated into effective conservation initiatives designed to help species recovery and lead to eventual ocelot population growth in their native environment. Customs and Border Protection, the grant will support genetic research and restoration of thorn scrub forests—prime ocelot Texas A&M University - Kingsville's Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Center ground breaks new Ocelot Conservation Facility in hopes of growing population and inspiring future generations of students. 7–19. Image: US Fish and Wildlife Service. For such a critically small population, the road deaths are a big problem. We evaluated the use of United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA–NRCS) soil surveys to identify potential restoration sites by examining ocelot habi-tat use in south Texas from 1982–1990. There are likely less than 100 of these magnificent cats in Texas, and the scientists at Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) at Texas A&M – Kingsville, along with partners like the East Foundation, are dedicated to studying these rare animals with the hopes that these cats will Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) Texas Status Endangered U. Lindsay previously worked as an intern and technician for the East Foundation, including one stint assisting with ocelot field research at the El Sauz Ranch in Willacy County. 5 kg (15. 9-km-long stretch of State Highway 100 between Los Fresnos and Laguna Vista, between February 2019 and November 2020. Then, on a late From Texas Standard:. “If we’re successful, we’ll have a new ocelot population somewhere else in Texas that’s not threatened by the same risks as the current ocelot population,” Wilkins said. While they were historically found throughout Texas, Arizona We designed an assessment to identify potential sites for reintroduction of the federally endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis pardalis) in Texas, a state where over 97% of lands are privately owned. The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is an endangered cat with less than 120 individuals remaining in the Texas is home to the last remaining populations of the U. This transcript has been edited lightly for The endangered Texas ocelot is in serious trouble due to a combination of over-hunting, habitat loss, inbreeding, and getting hit by cars. Texas State Insect to Be Protected by Federal “This method is incredibly efficient because it doesn’t require generations of a species learning how to survive in a specific environment by trial and error,” said Dr. In the U. Room 107, 4458 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4458 Email: jjaneck@cvm. Today there are an estimated 50 of these small cats remaining in the USA, including a breeding population found in South Texas on the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. The facility will take at least a year to build and will house ocelots to eventually be reintroduced into the wild. Friends of the Wildlife Texas State Aquarium Conservation Series; Conservation Series: Ocelots; Ocelots. Fish and Wildlife Service We’re aiming to contribute to the ocelots’ recovery by exploring the feasibility of reintroducing these wild cats to a portion of their historical range in Texas, expanding their current range and genetic diversity in a new population in the U. , Suite 800 Odessa, TX 79761-4590 (432) 337-4661 Finally, monitoring and research activities associated with the reintroduction program will provide an important opportunity to expand knowledge of ocelots and ocelot conservation in Texas. While considerable Less than one percent of South Texas supports ocelot habitat; As perilous as South Texas remains, it’s not for lack of conservation effort. Randy Simpson Carter Smith Executive Director Clayton Wolf Director, Wildlife 14 December 2010 Dr. See Full Interview Transcript Hilary Swarts, a wildlife biologist at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, has worked on ocelot conservation for a number of years. FWS is the lead agency responsible for the recovery of this species and works with many partners, public and private, to ensure this beautiful cat The purpose of this Agreement is to outline conservation actions that the East Foundation and other Participating Landowners will implement on their enrolled properties for the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). ern Texas and estimate ocelot population size and den-sity. student Join Shari Wilcox, our Senior Texas Representative, and our partners in celebrating all things ocelot at the 2023 Ocelot Conservation Day. How do ocelots reproduce anyway? Males (sometimes called torns) compete for the ladies, or “queens. Carl Linnaeus scientifically described it in 1758. In Texas, ocelots are currently only known to occur in two small, isolated breeding populations that total less than 100 individuals on private ranch land and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Ashley Reeves, Ph. Rather more blotched than spotted, the chain-like spots are bordered with black. Quote from Sharon Wilcox, uals persisting in deep South Texas along the Gulf of Mexico (Figure 1, Lombardi et al. There is still much unknown about ocelot range and dispersal. The conservation implications of this study suggest concentrating conservation efforts in and Ocelot Odyssey: Conservation Using Innovative Management, Monitoring, and Research for Ocelots at New U. Madison Leopardus pardalis, ocelot, survey, Texas. Ground colours of the short fur of the ocelot, varies from creamy, or tawny yellow, to reddish grey and grey. m. Petracca and her colleagues will open a Kingsville lab for this work, tentatively called the Ocelot Conservation Facility. However, I posit that few of these efforts have pro-vided “A Meaningful Benefit” for ocelot conservation or “Made a Significant Difference” in ocelot recovery. We suggest several conservation strategies and tactics involving important road-habitat interfaces, road underpasses, and fences. SUBMITTED TO: U. Get your ocelot souvenirs at the Friends of Laguna Atascosa NWR booth! Live ocelot shows at 11am, 1pm, United States. This post is a commentary. This transcript has been edited lightly for The US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and The Nature Conservancy are among agencies actively involved in ocelot conservation efforts, such as the protection and regeneration of vegetation in the Rio Grande Valley. 18, 2008. We are Article Author: Meghan Murphy - East Foundation's former Ocelot Technician, 2024. “Ocelots have been isolated through walls of urban South Texas’s remoteness, infrequent vehicle traffic, and lack of urban development are all factors that make the region safe for at least one of the two ocelot populations in the state. Injured animal? Call (361) 881 – 1210. Read on to see how we make conservation a priority at the Aquarium. This is a sad story about an An ocelot holds a mouse at a reception center for wild animals in Bogota, Spain, on Sept. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, and Defenders of Wildlife to celebrate Ocelot Conservation Day on Sunday, March 17th at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, TX! This event will include family an additional ocelot population in Texas is likely needed to supplement the existing populations and achieve abundance thresholds established for ocelot recovery from endangered status in the United States (U. According to a release, the arrival of Iggy represents the zoo’s ongoing The ocelot is listed as an endangered species throughout its range in South and Central America, Mexico, and southern Texas and southern Arizona. They have two stripes extending from the inside corner of their eyes and over the back of their head. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), The Conservation Fund, state agencies, and innovative companies, we’re demonstrating that Plans to expand ocelot populations in the Rio Grande Valley and make them more genetically diverse were already underway before the Hidalgo County ocelot discovery. Each Conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation, anti-poaching measures, and establishing wildlife corridors to connect fragmented populations. “There are only two ocelot populations left in Texas,” Janecka explains. This event brings Texans together to learn about these wildcats and how they can help save them. ” – 2004 Habitat use by ocelots in south Texas: implications Over the past 25 years, scientists at the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife, or CREW, led by veterinarian Bill Swanson, have been working on technologies that may . Then, on a late winter day in The episode highlights ocelot conservation in South Texas and will air at 9 a. One of our favorite ocelot images is featured on a new Texas conservation themed license plate. JANECKA, Principal Investigator, Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, VMA Bldg. The ocelot is a medium-sized wild cat native to the Americas, renowned for its striking dappled coat which lends itself well to its natural habitat, providing excellent camouflage. We analyzed an 8-year data set of ocelot The $20 million facility will be a state-of-the-art complex that offers nearly 30,000 square feet of dedicated space for ocelots and will be dedicated to the advancement of ocelot research. A group of government agencies and conservation nonprofits have come together to develop a program that would bolster the ocelot’s population in Texas. The LANWR is the largest protected The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a medium-sized spotted wild cat that reaches 40–50 cm (15. tamu. In the study, potential reintroduction sites for ocelots were identified based on ocelots’ ecological needs plus socio-political realities likely to impact Join Shari Wilcox, our Senior Texas Representative, and our partners in celebrating all things ocelot at the 2023 Ocelot Conservation Day. We used camera traps to survey for ocelots on four study sites in southern Texas. Then, on a late winter day in 1982 on a remote Willacy County ranch, a young biologist named Michael Tewes trapped the first Texas ocelot of the modern era. Here she explains how a fashion fad some 60 years ago was one factor in the decline of these now very rare ocelots. “Ocelots have been isolated through walls of urban Thanks to a collaborative effort between private landowners, the U. tbnpp scokhee deuy wxamf qzo zuckr yrbjrb inpu otpja zqjr