Rare sighting of an Ocelot in Trinidad, repopulating the extinct Caspian Tiger range and an amazing clip of a Bornean Clouded Leopard family in Indonesia.
Welcome to our news digest about felines! Each week we summarise the news about wild cats from around the world to keep you up to date.
We focus mostly on stories about big cats and small cats in the wild (not captive cats) as well as positive news items and avoid distressing or negative news.
We will limit the articles to around five per week, as I know you are all so terribly busy 🙂
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Ocelot Sighting in a Cave in Trinidad
The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is Trinidad’s only native wildcat, rarely seen due to its nocturnal habits and preference for dense forests and wetlands. (Trinidad is one of the southerly islands in the Caribbean).
Its camouflage, solitary nature, and stealthy movements make sightings extremely uncommon, though footprints and occasional encounters reveal its presence, such as an unexpected sighting of a lactating female deep in a cave.
The species faces threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, but it remains a fully protected Environmentally Sensitive Species in Trinidad.
Despite human pressures, the ocelot continues to inhabit remote areas of the island, maintaining its elusive and secretive lifestyle.
Source and more images: Trinidad Daily Express - The elusive ocelot - Trinidad’s rarely seen native wildcat
Amur Tigers Repopulate extinct Caspian Tiger range in Kazakhstan
The Turan (Caspian) tiger (Panthera tigris virgata), once native to Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, used to live in tugai forests along rivers, however it went extinct by the mid-20th century due to hunting and habitat loss.
Kazakhstan has now begun a reintroduction project, bringing in Amur tigers—the closest living relatives—to repopulate the Ili-Balkhash region. The project aims to restore the tiger as both an ecological predator and a cultural symbol, though success depends on habitat restoration and careful management.
If successful, it could make Kazakhstan one of the first countries to reintroduce tigers to a region where they had disappeared completely.
Source and more images: Kursiv - Asia’s lost king: The story of the Turan tiger
Leopards back in West Coast NP, South Africa, after 170 years
A leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) has been photographed in the West Coast National Park (South Africa) for the first time in 170 years, marking a major conservation milestone.
The image was captured by a remote camera trap, confirming that the species has naturally recolonised the coastal region.
This recovery is attributed to long-term collaboration between SANParks, the Landmark Leopard and Predator Project, the University of the Western Cape, local municipalities, and private landowners.
Conservationists say the return was made possible by restoring habitat corridors, environmental protections, and increased tolerance from local communities.
Source and more images: The Witness - Leopard photographed in West Coast National Park for the first time in 170 years
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