Join us in celebrating the beautiful ocelot of the Rio Grande Valley at Ocelot Conservation Day!  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, and the Gladys Porter Zoo are hosting a special day to highlight ocelots, the small, wild cats native to South Texas.

There will be a variety of fun ocelot-related activities for families to enjoy.  The event is free with regular paid admission or Zoo membership.

ACTIVITIES

 There will be great activities for kids and adults!  Kids can make arts and crafts like an ocelot mask or check out displays with ocelot-related artifacts and conservation information along with prizes.

CONSERVATION

The ocelot is listed as a federally endangered animal.  In the United States, ocelots were originally found throughout Texas and into Arkansas and Louisiana.  Today, fewer than 50 of these native wild cats are estimated to be left in the U.S., all of which are found in South Texas.  These animals live exclusively in thorn scrub habitat and their habitat and thus their populations are diminishing rapidly.  Habitat loss and getting hit by cars are the greatest threats to their long-term survival.

The Animal Health Department at the Gladys Porter Zoo is actively involved in assisting U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services with ocelot health monitoring at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR). When an ocelot is trapped, a GPZ veterinarian will go to LANWR to give the ocelot a physical exam and full medical work-up. This includes a battery of testing to determine overall health and to detect internal and external parasites and infectious diseases.

The Gladys Porter Zoo also supports and is active in the Bi-national Ocelot Recovery Project.  For more information on LANWR and other Rio Grande Valley wildlife refuges visit: Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

Proceeds from this event directly benefit the Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and their efforts towards ocelot conservation.  Thank you to the run sponsors H-E-B Helping Here Defenders of Wildlife, City of Brownsville, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Visit Brownsville.  Hope to see you there in your best ocelot attire!

Stay in Brownsville

Brownsville is the perfect family-friendly getaway with a multitude of attractions within walking distance of the Zoo.  Support the Gladys Porter Zoo by using this link to make your hotel reservation.