Endangered Ocelot Appears on Trail Camera in New Arizona Location

TUCSON, Ariz. – Rare Wild Ocelot Spotted in Arizona Sky Island Mountain Range

Introduction

The Center for Biological Diversity released stunning new video footage today of a rare wild ocelot in a Sky Island mountain range in Arizona, within the ancestral homelands of the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Significance of the Sighting

The footage, captured on a trail camera on July 24, 2024, is from a location where ocelots have not recently been detected. For the safety of the cat, the Center is not specifying the location.

“I shouted with joy when I realized what I was seeing on the trail cam. This incredible footage shows us that ocelots belong in our Sky Islands, despite all the threats they face,” said Russ McSpadden, a Southwest conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “These elegant, elusive, and fiercely resilient felines are an important part of what makes southern Arizona so special. Capturing footage of this cat in the wild gives me hope for their survival.”

Importance of Ocelots

Protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1982, ocelots are known for their striking, chain-like rosettes and spots, which allow researchers to identify individual animals, much like human fingerprints. These distinctive markings also provide excellent camouflage in the dense forests, rugged terrain, and thornscrub that make up their habitat.

Movement and Conservation Efforts

After analysis and consultation with several experts — including Carmina Gutiérrez González, Ph.D., research coordinator for the Northern Jaguar Project — the Center confirmed the latest detection was the same ocelot detected on June 12, 2024, in the Atascosa Highlands west of Nogales by researchers at the Phoenix Zoo. The ocelot traveled at least 30 miles between detections.

Sometime in June or July, the ocelot crossed the Santa Cruz River, in a stretch proposed to become a national wildlife refuge, crossed I-19, and moved into an area with several Sky Island mountain ranges.

Importance to Indigenous Communities

“The Sky Island Mountains are not just beautiful landscapes; they are living parts of our culture and identity. Seeing the return of an ocelot to these ancestral lands reaffirms our sacred connection to this place and reminds us of our duty to protect these lands and the creatures that depend on them,” said Chairman Austin Nunez of the San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation. “The ocelot’s survival is intertwined with ours, and we must ensure that this species endures for future generations.”

Threats to Ocelot Habitat

Ocelots rely on the intact, interconnected wildlands of the Sky Islands. The fragmentation of their habitat due to roads, urban sprawl, mines, and border barriers is a serious challenge to their survival. In Sonora, Mexico, ongoing construction of a freight railway between Imurís and Nogales is ripping through crucial ocelot breeding habitat, posing another threat to the imperiled species.

Population Status

Fewer than 100 ocelots are thought to remain in the U.S., with the majority residing in southern Texas. Arizona is home to a small but crucial population, which exists at the northernmost part of the species’ range.

Role of Sky Islands

The Sky Islands are a series of isolated mountain ranges that rise dramatically from the desert floor, stretching from northern Mexico to southern Arizona. These ranges are biologically rich, creating unique ecosystems that support an incredible diversity of plants and animals. The Sky Islands serve as vital habitat corridors for species like the ocelot, jaguar, and black bear, enabling them to move between different mountain ranges in search of food, mates, and safe shelter.

Call to Action

“Every ocelot and jaguar sighting is a chance to celebrate these incredible creatures and reflect on how we can help their safe return to the Southwestern U.S.,” said McSpadden. “I hope this beautiful ocelot reminds us all of the critical work ahead to make sure these cats’ habitat remains unfragmented and protected for future generations.”

Conclusion

The camera was checked by McSpadden and Clara Smith, a Center intern and student at Earlham University’s Border Studies program.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 15: Life on Land

The article addresses the issue of protecting the habitat and survival of ocelots, a species of wild cat. This aligns with SDG 15, which focuses on conserving and sustainably using terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats

The article highlights the threats to ocelots’ habitat due to fragmentation caused by roads, urban sprawl, mines, and border barriers. Target 15.5 aims to address these threats and protect natural habitats.

Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts

The article emphasizes the importance of integrating ecosystem and biodiversity values into planning and development processes to ensure the survival of ocelots and other species.

Target 15.c: Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species

The article mentions the need to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species like ocelots. Target 15.c aims to enhance global support for such efforts.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

The article mentions that ocelots are protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1982. The Red List Index is a measure of the conservation status of species and can be used to assess progress towards reducing the degradation of natural habitats.

Indicator 15.5.2: Forest Area as a proportion of total land area

The article highlights the importance of intact, interconnected wildlands like the Sky Islands for ocelots. Monitoring the forest area as a proportion of total land area can help measure progress towards protecting natural habitats.

Indicator 15.5.3: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas

The article mentions the Sky Islands as vital habitat corridors for species like ocelots. Monitoring the proportion of important sites for biodiversity covered by protected areas can indicate progress in protecting these habitats.

Indicator 15.9.1: Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020

The article emphasizes the need to integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning. Monitoring progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 can measure the integration of these values.

Indicator 15.c.1: Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked

The article mentions the threat of poaching and trafficking of protected species like ocelots. Monitoring the proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked can assess progress in combating these illegal activities.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: biologicaldiversity.org