Ocelot
(Leopardus pardalis)
Individuals
The two male cubs were being offered for sale on Facebook. They identified the seller’s profile and used publicly available images from that account to apply pressure for the surrender of the cubs. As the situation began to gain public attention and the information became more widely shared, the individuals involved agreed to a negotiation: in exchange for removing the materials where her image appeared, they would hand over the ocelots.
While reviewing the profile of a person who claimed to be the seller’s father-in-law, we identified indications that he was involved in poaching activities. His location was approximately five hours from their facilities. A biologist friend who lived closer to the area agreed to retrieve the cubs and transported them to the center.
Upon arrival, the 1.5 month old cubs were severely dehydrated, parasitized, and malnourished. Intensive stabilization efforts were required, and they made extensive use of artificial intelligence–assisted tools to support their care and monitoring.
They were named Otto and Osiris. Otto, the smaller but more active of the two, was diagnosed with coccidia and remained more alert despite his smaller size. His brother Osiris presented both coccidia and Ancylostoma infection and appeared more lethargic. During rehabilitation, Osiris eventually surpassed Otto in weight but remained consistently more timid, whereas Otto showed more exploratory behavior. They spent about 10 months at the rescue centre.
Housing and care
When they were smaller they were kept in an 3x3m enclosure. As they grew bigger they got into a 10mx10m enclosure. They were fed chicken, beef, and live prey chicken and rabbits. In the bigger enclosure they were only visited 2x daily to drop food off. Additionally, they were receiving Mazuri whole prey for carnivores.
Release site
The release site is located at approximately 300 m above sea level and lies within an officially protected area covering 155,122 hectares. Other ocelots have already been recorded in the region, along with additional apex and mesopredators such as pumas, indicating a functioning predator community. The area supports a variety of small mammals and birds, providing an adequate prey base to sustain the two ocelots. In addition, the nearby community receives ongoing environmental education, which helps raise awareness of the ecological importance of predators and promotes coexistence with wildlife.
Pre-release adaptations
Prior to release, basic evaluations were conducted, including an assessment of hunting skills. Both individuals demonstrated adequate hunting ability and were able to capture prey without difficulty. Each ocelot exhibited different behavioral responses toward humans; however, both showed a clear tendency to avoid human interaction. Osiris was notably more wary and distrustful, while Otto displayed a comparatively less cautious, yet still avoidant, disposition.
Post-release
The decision was made to release both individuals simultaneously as a hard release, without tracking collars. The intention was that Otto’s exit would encourage Osiris to leave his crate as well, facilitating a coordinated departure. However, the release did not proceed as planned. Otto exited his crate first, briefly entered Osiris’s crate, and then left the release area calmly without further complication. Osiris did not exit voluntarily despite multiple waiting periods, and the crate had to be gently shaken to prompt his departure. Once he emerged, he fled the area at a faster pace than Otto and moved off in a different direction. As a result, the intended paired release strategy did not function as expected, and both individuals dispersed independently.
Following the release, no direct post-release support was provided. Monitoring has been limited due to the absence of tracking collars; however, three camera traps were installed in the release area. In addition, they have been consulting residents of the nearest community to identify any potential sightings or incidents. To date, neither ocelot has been observed, and there have been no reports of poultry predation or conflict with humans.
