Ecology
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| http://www.livescience.com/55072-ocelot-facts.html |
As global temperatures rise and human populations expand, animal and plant species continue to go extinct at an alarming rate. Over this past year, NASA announced global life could face many more extinctions as environments change [1]. One animal facing the threat of extinction is the ocelot, scientifically known as Leopardus pardalis. These medium sized spotted cats are found in the southwestern part of the United States as well as Latin America. Ocelots bear a resemblance to jaguars with their elongated black spots and long tails, however they are much smaller, weighing between 7-16 kilograms (15-35 pounds). Ocelots produce 1 or 2 kittens per litter, but little else is known about their reproductive patterns [2]. They live in various habitats such as tropical dry forests, coastal forests, grasslands, fir forests, and thornscrub [3]. They key factor in a successful ocelot habitat is the presence of hiding places, such as brush or trees. Ocelots eat rabbits, rodents, frogs, and birds, and are hunted by larger cats, anacondas, and eagles [3].
Geographic Location & Population Changes
Ocelots are found in southern Texas and Arizona, however most of the world’s ocelot population is found in coastal Mexico, Central America, and throughout northern Argentina. The populations are very isolated from one another, so there are different subspecies present in different geographic regions [1]. The ones focused on in the recovery plan are the Texas-Tamaulipas subspecies and the Arizona-Sonora subspecies.
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This map shows the current range of Ocelots in the US as well as Central America.
http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/Ocelot%20Final%20Recovery%20Plan_Signed_July%202016_new%20(1).pdf
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The Texas-Tamaulipas (TTMU) subspecies is located in a small area of southern Texas, and just south of the Texas-Mexico border. The majority of this subspecies is located in Mexico, and the ocelots that are in Texas have a smaller distribution than their historic range [2]. There are two distinct populations in Texas, and each population occupies habitat fragments that are separated by 30 kilometers. There are an estimated 80-120 individuals in Texas [2].
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This map shows the historic and current distributions of ocelots in Texas.
http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/Ocelot%20Final%20Recovery%20Plan_Signed_July%202016_new%20(1).pdf
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The Arizona-Sonora (ASMU) subspecies is very small, and little is known about this population. There were no ocelots detected in this habitat from 1985-2009, but then 5 ocelots were detected in Arizona over the course of 6 years. In addition, there were 6 detected ocelots in the Sonora region of Mexico just south of the Arizona-Mexico border [2].
Listing Date and Type of Listing
The original recovery plan for ocelots was originally released in 1990, and an updated recovery plan that specifically focused on the subspecies described above was released in July 2016. They are currently listed as an endangered species [2].
Cause of Listing and Main Threats
One of the main reasons the ocelot is endangered is due to habitat destruction. Ocelots historically lived in the the thorn scrub habitats of Arizona, Texas, and northern Mexico, however this habit has been altered for agriculture and urban development, which leads to habitat fragmentation [2]. In addition, mining in Arizona destroys viable ocelot habitats [2].
Another reason for the ocelot’s listing is over utilization for recreational and commercial purposes. In the 1970’s, ocelots were exploited by the fashion industry for their pelts in order to make fur jackets and other accessories [2]. Ocelots have also been a historically popular species in the illegal international pet trade, however there are recent reports of ocelots found in exotic species trafficking rings, so this problem does still exist [4]. In addition, hunters also played a part in the population decline of ocelots by trapping or killing ocelots that were suspected of killing their livestock [2].
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A graphic from the US Fish and Wildlife Service shows the locations of Ocelots found in trafficking operations in the early 2000’s.
https://www.fws.gov/pacific/news/2006/OperationCatTalemap.pdf
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Predation is another reason for the ocelot’s status as endangered. In Texas, ocelots were preyed on by other ocelots, as well as coyotes and domestic dogs. In Mexico, mountain lions and jaguars are main predators of the ocelot [2].
Another cause of listing is the inadequacy of current methods to regulate ocelot populations. Private landowners in Texas were anxious about having an endangered species on their land, so in many cases their land was not surveyed and habit protection was not enforced [2]. In addition, the clause of the ESA that prohibits the take of protected species only applies in the US, so it does not help to protect ocelot populations in Mexico [2].
Finally, collisions with vehicles on roads play a role in the decline of ocelot populations, especially in Arizona where the population is already very small [2]. Vehicle collisions are the number one cause of mortality for ocelots in the US [5]. National Geographic reports that six of the 14 ocelots that were tracked by the US Fish and Wildlife Service with telemetry collars were killed by vehicles [5]. Similarly, border control implementations along the Arizona-Mexico borders such as fences, walls, and roads effect ocelot populations because these man-made features are largely impenetrable to ocelots [2]. As a result, populations are separated and there is not a lot of genetic diversity in each population.
Description of Recovery Plan
Although the ocelot was originally listed as endangered in 1990, the updated 2016 version is different because it specifically focuses on the Texas and Arizona subspecies.
In Texas, habitat fragmentation is the biggest threat to ocelots [2]. One of the major goals of the recovery plan is to connect this population with other populations in order to increase the genetic diversity of Texas ocelots. In order to be down-listed, Texas must have either one population of 150 individuals with interchange with the Mexican population, or two populations of 75 that have interchange with each other and the Mexican population [2]. This connectivity between populations must be natural, and not facilitated by artificially translocating individuals [2]. In addition to addressing habitat destruction, the recovery plan identifies the need to reduce vehicle related mortalities [2].
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A four year old male Ocelot killed by a vehicle collision in Texas.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/06/140603-ocelots-cats-wildlife-recovery-habitat-loss-panther-highway/
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The ocelot population in Arizona is a little harder to address because less is known about this subspecies. One known factor that is negatively affecting this population is border control elements along the Arizona-Mexico border, such as fences, lighting, and traffic [2]. These man made barriers harm the ocelot population because many of these installments are impenetrable to ocelots, meaning that separate communities cannot interact with each other. Improving the genetic fitness of the Arizona subspecies will prove difficult, because the recovery strategies depend on socio-political circumstances and opinions relating to border control issues. In order to be down-listed, the Arizona ocelots’ population must reach 1,000 individuals [2].
The recovery plan also includes objectives that apply to both subspecies of ocelots, such as restoring habitat, reducing the effect of human development, improving genetic fitness and health, and assuring long term conservation by working with private landowners [2]. In both populations, the ocelots’ recovery will be monitored and adapted depending on how the individual populations react to changes in their environment. In addition, the recovery plan intends to support international efforts to protect ocelots around the world [2].
What can you do?
Although ocelots only occur in a small area of the United States, we can still have an effect on their recovery and conservation. One way to help protect ocelots and other endangered species is to vote for candidates in national and local elections that support wildlife conservation. Furthermore, talking to local politicians about recovery efforts and supporting local activist groups can also play a role in endangered species’ recovery [6]. Another way to make a difference is to donate to funds and agencies that work to protect ocelots and their habitats such as the Felidae Conservation Fund or the World Wildlife Fund. Finally, you can help ocelots and all wildlife species by being aware of where the products you buy come from, and if their production is contributing to habitat destruction.
Other Resources
For more information on how to help ocelots, and endangered species in general, you can visit defenders.org. They provide interesting information about ocelots, as well as strategies to help this endangered species recover. Another resource for learning more about ocelots is wildcatconservation.org. This website provides information on ocelot’s ecology, as well as their distribution and current conservation efforts.
Reference List
[5] http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/06/140603-ocelots-cats-wildlife-recovery-habitat-loss-panther-highway/
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ReplyDeleteWow, I have never even heard of these species before! I think it is interesting how they can adapt to the many habitats that you mentioned. Furthermore, it is crazy to think that an animal feeds on anything from frogs to snakes, or even eagles. Great Job!
ReplyDelete-Patrick Dotsy