An endangered male ocelot was killed on State Highway 100 between Laguna Vista and Los Fresnos, Texas, on July 9, 2014. It is the fourth documented endangered ocelot killed by a vehicle on this stretch of highway and is the third in the last four years since a concrete traffic barrier was constructed. The loss of this ocelot is significant in that he was 20% of the current breeding male population at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in south Texas.
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Press Release
A male ocelot was killed on State Highway 100 between Laguna Vista and Los Fresnos,
Texas, on July 9, 2014. The cat was discovered by a member of the public who reported
the incident to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). Found along the concrete
traffic barrier, the wild cat’s injuries are consistent with a vehicular collision. It is the fourth
documented endangered ocelot killed by a vehicle on this stretch of highway and is the
third in the last four years since the concrete traffic barrier was constructed.
The ocelot was one of 12 being monitored by the Service at Laguna Atascosa National
Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The loss of this ocelot is significant in that he was 20% of the
current breeding male population at the Refuge. Ocelots are a federally listed endangered
species whose historic range in the U.S. extended from South Texas up into Arkansas and
Louisiana, but is now reduced to less than 50 animals, mostly in south Texas. Though
loss of habitat is the single greatest threat to the cats, an estimated 40% of ocelots from
the Refuge, studied over a 30-year period, have died as a result of being struck by a
vehicle.
“We believe the concrete barrier is contributing to the increase in ocelot deaths by vehicles
in this area” stated Laguna Atascosa Refuge Manager Boyd Blihovde. “Many animals will
not, or cannot, jump them, get trapped on the road and pose a danger to drivers and
themselves. We have been working with the Texas Department of Transportation on
constructing wildlife crossings, but clearly more needs to be done”.
For the wild population to stay healthy and genetically diverse, ocelots from the Refuge
need to travel and meet up with ocelots from other populations. Crossing roads and
highways is a deadly hazard for the cats.
Scientific studies have shown that wildlife crossings, an under-the-road passage with
fencing to funnel animals to it, are very effective at keeping wildlife off roads. Crossings
have been successful in south Florida where vehicle collisions with endangered Florida
News Release
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Laguna Atascosa NWR
22817 Ocelot Road
Los Fresnos, Texas 78566
(956)748-3607
(956)748-3609 faxPage 2 of 2
panthers were a huge threat to their existence. Locally, an existing wildlife crossing on
State Highway 48, near the Refuge’s Bahia Grande Unit, has been used by bobcats,
raccoons and coyotes.
“Under road wildlife crossings can play an important role in alleviating unnecessary ocelot
deaths” says Zone Biologist Mitch Sternberg. “Because so few wild cats remain, losing one
animal has a huge impact on the population. The crossings not only keep wildlife safe, but
also the public”.
Sternberg also stated the public plays an important role in keeping this endangered wild
cat in the Rio Grande Valley. “The public can contribute to our knowledge of ocelots by
watching for ocelots throughout the valley”. The public is encouraged to report any
possible sightings to the Refuge by calling 956-748-3607, or after hours 956-784-7520.
To learn more about ocelots in south Texas, visit the Refuge’s website
www.fws.gov/refuge/laguna_atascosa or Facebook page
www.facebook.com/LagunaAtascosaNWR.
