Ocelots: Endangered in Texas but DNA Gives Hope

Ocelots have been endangered since 1982, with <100 left in the wild. New DNA evidence, however, offers a glimmer of optimism. A roadkill ocelot from 2021 in Hidalgo County, 50 miles from known habitat, is genetically linked to South Texas and Mexico populations, per @DefendersNews: https://defenders.org/newsroom/ocelot-killed-car-50-miles-known-habitat-could-modify-range#:~:text=Based%20on%20DNA%20results%20from,wild%20ocelots%20in%20South%20Texas.

"The results suggest this cat possibly occupies a region of South Texas not yet known... Hidalgo County may have more ocelots in its remote sections with appropriate habitat and prey," - Sharon Wilcox, @DefendersNews

Historically, ocelots roamed much of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Now, their range is limited to the southeast corner of Texas along the Mexico border and Gulf Coast.

Why are they endangered? Habitat loss due to farming and urban expansion. Per @TexasParksWild, only 30-35 ocelots remain in the wild near Laguna Atascosa NWR: https://www.texasparksandwildlife.org/huntwild/wild/wildlife_diversity/ocelots

1995 estimate: 80-120 ocelots in Texas. Sightings date back to 1832: https://wildtexashistory.com/category/ocelot/