Richard Moore Outdoor Report: Record Ocelot Numbers

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A record number of ocelots have now been identified at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, with a current count of 22 of the rare cats.

For the past several decades, researchers have been tracking ocelots at the main refuge east of Rio Hondo. Many have been live-trapped and radio collared to monitor their movements while others have been documented on trail cameras.

For many years refuge staff conducted surveys, but in the past several years monitoring has been performed primarily by biologists with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, and research associate Elizabeth Grunwald has been vital in establishing the record number.

“For a lot of years, the numbers thrown about were 15 to 18, but usually 14 or 16, and like I said, in less than two years, we have identified at least 22 on camera. We know there have to be some more out there," said Grunwald.

Hunter Vasquez from Harlingen, an undergraduate at Texas A&M Kingsville, has been instrumental in establishing the record number by utilizing camera traps at 14 water guzzlers on the refuge frequented by ocelots.

“They’re spot patterns are almost like fingerprints. They are very unique from one another. So, it makes it pretty easy for me, at least to identify and tell each of them apart," said Vasquez.

Having established a historic high number of ocelots at Laguna Atascosa is great news for refuge manager Brandon Jones, and working with the stellar staff at Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute has enhanced refuge management overall.

“From Laguna’s perspective, from the operations standpoint, it has made us way more efficient. We were able to focus on other aspects of refuge management as well, and that has been vital in keeping the refuge up and running," said Jones.

With 22 or more ocelots roaming the refuge, visitors have an increased chance to glimpse one of the rare cats whose numbers are estimated to be no more than 120 in all of South Texas.