Ocelots are endangered in Mexico, but on the island, they are an introduced species. This could lead to declines in some of the island’s native mammal species, including the Cozumel white-footed mouse and the Cozumel harvest mouse.
Learn more: tinyurl.com/3ypfs3hm
#Smallcat #Mexico #Ocelot
Did you know a species can be endangered and also invasive? Before 2016, no ocelot had been detected on the island of Cozumel, Mexico. In 2016, one ocelot was recorded on the island, meaning a second could lead to a breeding population.
This is seen as a landmark case demonstrating how forensic technology can strengthen wildlife law enforcement and set a precedent for prosecuting poachers.
Learn more: tinyurl.com/3sy7ywkr
#Lion #WildlifeCrime #Conservation #DNA #AntiPoaching
(Image Credit: Stephanie Beaver)
In Zimbabwe, investigators are using forensic science in the fight against poaching. Scientists matched DNA from seized African lion parts to a radio-collared lion previously recorded in a genetic database, providing critical evidence in court to convict the poacher.
#OneHealth #AvianFlu #WildCat #MarinCounty #Conservation #PointReyes
(Image of puma detected in Point Reyes)
In our efforts to monitor wild felid health, Felidae is non-invasively collecting and analyzing puma and bobcat scat samples, helping us to identify hotspots in disease transmission for these vulnerable populations.
Learn more: tinyurl.com/4r5x3xbe
Felidae has monitored pumas in Point Reyes for nearly a decade, and recent cases of the virus infecting murres in Pt Reyes are especially concerning, as pumas here were recently classified as Threatened by the state.
Recent outbreaks of avian flu among wildlife in the Bay Area highlight the importance of studying zoonotic spillover. Wild cats like pumas and bobcats are highly susceptible to avian flu, and at least several on the West Coast have died as a result.
This family-friendly event takes place April 18th, 10 am to 1 pm, 1 Twin Pines Park in Belmont. Hope to see you there!
Learn more: felidaefund.org/events/belmo...
#EarthDay #Wildlife #Outreach #BayArea #Belmont
Come celebrate Earth Day with us in Belmont!
The Felidae team will have a booth at Belmont Earth Day and will be sharing information about our work and how to foster human-wildlife coexistence.
#Wildcat #Tiger #Nepal #HumanWildlifeConflict #Conservation
(Image sourced from Felidae's camera trap in Bhutan)
-compensation reform, early warning systems, and community-based conflict prevention.
Learn more: tinyurl.com/5eychj9f
Click the link in bio to learn more about Felidae's Bhutan Wild Cat Health Project and how we are working to reduce One Health-related conflicts!
While some are advocating for politicians to take a more aggressive approach to mitigating conflict, others are instead pushing for more long-term solutions, including the use of early warning systems and the killing of "problem animals", but it diverts resources from longer-term solutions like-
In rural Nepal, as the male workforce migrates from villages to construction work, women take over the roles of cattle herding and subsistence farming. This can lead to human-wildlife conflict, as their daily routines take them along forest edges, which increases the chance of wildlife encounters.
Learn more: tinyurl.com/4hxu3v76
#Leopard #HumanWildlifeConflict #India #Conservation
(Image sourced from Felidae's Bhutan Wild Cat Health Project, link in bio!)
-disease, biosecurity, and whether this is really conservation at all.
Wildlife biologists are instead pushing for more long-term strategies, such as improved livestock protection, waste management, and working with local communities to improve local tolerance for leopards and foster coexistence.
Removing individual leopards has important ecological consequences. It creates a vacancy that a new, often younger and less experienced individual will fill, meaning conflict doesn’t actually go away. Also, housing thousands of wild animals in a private facility raises questions about-
In India, leopards use a range of habitats, including sugarcane fields and even cities, leading to concerns about potential attacks on people. But one potential ‘solution’ is quite controversial and involves relocating them to a private wildlife facility in the name of rescue.
This means these trails are constantly being used, giving Otis and friends less room to hide and rest. We can minimize negative impacts to wildlife by keeping dogs leashed, staying on designated trails, and only recreating during the day.
(Images of Otis and other mountain lions in Marin)
This leaves less space for them to occupy and increases their chances of encountering humans, pets, or livestock.
Human visitation to Marin's extensive protected area network is high. Mountain biking, trail running, and horseback riding are all popular activities.
As we wrap up our introduction of Otis, it is important to highlight the threats these cats face.
Habitat loss has severely impacted Marin mountain lions. Much of Marin County is set aside for people, and even protected areas are subject to intense encroachment.
Deep, heavy breathing carries the pheromones into the organ, in an act called the Flehman’s response. Here, you can see Otis taking in information about who was here before him.
#OtisThePuma #Wildlife #Conservation #Behavior #Ecology #MountainLion
These have information about the gender and fitness of an individual. They can also indicate who owns this territory and whether or not a female is in estrus.
Pheromones are detected by the vomeronasal organ, which sits on the roof of a puma’s mouth.
Mountain lions use certain spots to communicate with other lions. They might make a “scrape”, which involves urinating or defecating and then kicking up some dirt or brush with their hind legs. From there, specific communication chemicals, called pheromones, are released via urine or scat.
Otis is a creature of habit, often showing up in the same areas around the same time of day. In particular, he loves passing by one of his communication hubs.
and occasionally comes into conflict with other males. If he wins, he maintains his territory and resources; if he loses, he risks the loss of his offspring, females, and landscape.
Like, share, and follow for more Otis content!
#OtisThePuma #Conservation #Wildlife #Research #MountainLion
While they're together, the couple will mate multiple times, and after approximately 90 days, a litter of 1-4 cubs may be born!
Not all of Otis’ neighbors are friends. Otis works hard to constantly ward off intruders from his territory (i.e., dispersing males)-
Does Otis have friends?
Sometimes! Most of the time, mountain lions are solitary as adults. A mating pair will join together for a couple of days to a week before they go their separate ways. Otis’s home range is bordered by a female’s, and we regularly see them using the same area.
When recreating in the Bay Area, remember to stay on designated trails and follow park rules. Keeping dogs on leashes, following mountain biking routes, and using the park only during open hours all help reduce the impact we have on wildlife.
#OtisThePuma #Marin #Puma #Conservation #Recreation
