CINCINNATI, OH (November 15, 2023) – An bold restoration program for wild ocelots in Texas is being carried out with help of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Backyard and a number of other different zoos accredited by the Affiliation of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Texas ocelots are extremely endangered with simply 60 to 80 wild cats surviving in fragmented habitats close to the southern Mexican border. To help with species restoration, the Cincinnati Zoo and three zoo companions (Oklahoma Metropolis Zoo and Botanical Gardens, San Antonio Zoo, Audubon Zoo) have established a Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program for ocelots below AZA steerage.
“SAFE Ocelot will present a possible lifeline to Texas ocelots by broadening their genetic variety, growing their numbers and supporting their restoration within the wild,” mentioned Dan Ashe, AZA’s President and Chief Government Officer. “For different endangered native species like black-footed ferrets, California condors and Mexican wolves, animals managed below human care have been important for inhabitants restoration and the identical could maintain true for America’s final wild ocelots”.
For the restoration program, SAFE Ocelot is working in partnership with a number of stakeholders, together with the East Basis, Texas A&M College, Duquesne College, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Texas Parks and Wildlife Division.
As one element, a devoted breeding and rewilding facility for ocelots will start development quickly in South Texas, with funding supplied by personal donors. As soon as the power is accomplished, SAFE Ocelot will coordinate the switch of ocelots from zoos and supply husbandry and reproductive administration steerage to optimize their breeding with native Texas ocelots.
The AZA’s Ocelot Species Survival Plan (SSP), coordinated by the Cincinnati Zoo’s Laura Carpenter, at present manages 64 (non-Texas) ocelots in 40 zoos that can comprise a part of the supply breeding inhabitants. Their offspring, after habituation to predatory dwelling within the rewilding facility, finally can be launched onto an unlimited East Basis ranch property that lies inside the historic, however at present unpopulated, pure vary of Texas ocelots.
“The information and experience of zoo curators, keepers, veterinarians and scientists are important for the profitable propagation of ocelots below human look after this restoration program,” mentioned the Cincinnati Zoo’s Dr. Invoice Swanson, the SAFE Ocelot Program Chief. “Zoos have been breeding and managing ocelots for over 20 years inside the Ocelot SSP and that have has created the framework to use related approaches to assist Texas ocelot restoration”.
Two different key steps taken over the previous few months will assist to make sure the success of this restoration program. First, the East Basis has submitted a Secure Harbor Settlement (SHA) proposal to the USFWS for his or her evaluation. If permitted, the SHA will permit ocelots to be launched onto East Basis lands with out federal restrictions on cattle ranching or different agricultural practices, prioritizing ocelot conservation whereas persevering with with conventional ranch actions. Second, Texas A&M College-Kingsville just lately was awarded a multi-year, $12.2 million contract by USFWS for ocelot restoration efforts with among the funding directed to the Cincinnati Zoo, East Basis and Texas A&M College Pure Assets Institute. The zoo-dedicated funds will assist enhancements to ocelot breeding services inside zoos, genetic evaluation of the supply inhabitants and utility of assisted reproductive sciences to ocelot propagation.
Extra details about the Texas ocelot restoration program is on the market at https://recovertexasocelots.org.
