WCS 3-Sentence Science

Understanding Amazonia’s Mysterious Ocelots

June 6, 2019

Credit: Julie Larsen Maher/WCS

Each year, Wildlife Conservation Society scientists publish more than 300 peer-reviewed studies and papers. “WCS 3-Sentence Science” is a regular tip-sheet — in bite sized helpings — of some of this published work.

Here we present the work of WCS Amazonia conservation manager Fabio Rohe on conservation of ocelots in the Brazilian Amazon:

1. Researchers conducted a 12-year study from 2010 to 2017 on ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) in the Brazilian Amazon, deploying 899 camera traps at 12 stations to determine habitat preferences, which were largely unknown.
2. Their findings show that ocelots are ubiquitous and adaptable, and seemingly abundant in protected areas or wherever there are forests populated with suitable prey.
3. The authors warn, however, that this does do not justify complacency regarding their conservation, as deforestation is destroying their habitat.

Study and Journal: “Habitat use of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in Brazilian Amazon” from Ecology and Evolution
WCS Co-Author(s): Fabio Rohe, WCS Amazonia Conservation manager

For more information, contact: Stephen Sautner, 718–220–3682, ssautner@wcs.org.