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Faculty/Staff Focus
Janecka works to save the ocelot population in Texas
The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), native
to Texas, Mexico, Central America,
and South America, is similar in
appearance to a domestic cat but is
slightly larger and has a beautiful coat
resembling that of the leopard or jaguar.
During the 20th century, people
precipitated the ocelot’s decline in
Texas by colonizing and removing their
dense thorn-shrub habitat and taking
advantage of their unique coat in the
fur trade. This led to eradication of
ocelots in many areas where they were
once common. Without conservation
efforts, the ocelot may become extinct
in its native Texas habitat.
Dr. Jan Janecka, a research assistant
professor at the Texas A&M College
of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical
Sciences (CVM) and strong supporter
of conservation efforts for many exotic
cats, recently published a paper with
the help of other researchers and scientists
to understand the genetic diversity
of ocelots and the reasons for their
slow disappearance from Texas. The
project generated a wealth of knowledge
on the Texas ocelot population
that will be incorporated into conservation
initiatives designed to help species
recovery and lead to eventual ocelot
population growth in their native
environment.
54 • CVM Today • Winter 2012
Dr. Jan Janecka
“There are only two ocelot populations
left in Texas,” Janecka said.
“Over-harvest of the species and
removal of habitat in the 1900s led to
major population reductions. Today,
ocelots in Texas are restricted to the
Lower Rio Grande Valley, and less than
80 remain between the two different
populations, although there may be a
few additional cats in nearby areas.”
Janecka added, “Ocelots prefer a
dense brush habitat, and they cannot
move through large open land separating
brush patches because of their shy
nature. Dr. Michael Tewes, [coordinator
of the Feline Research Center
and regents professor at the Caesar
Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
at Texas A&M University–Kingsville],
and his students and colleagues have
radio-collared ocelots for over 30 years
to understand their ecology, behavior,
and dispersal patterns. Over this
period, there has not been a single
observed successful migration between
the two populations in Texas. This is
consistent with the genetic data that
revealed complete isolation of these
areas. This complete isolation results in
genetic erosion and inbreeding depression
that compromises persistence of
the ocelots.”
Janecka’s research was the result of
several collaborations between different
institutions including Texas A&M
University (Janecka, Rodney Honeycutt,
William Murphy, and Brian Davis),
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute,
Texas A&M University–Kingsville
(Mike Tewes, Janecka, Aaron Haines,
Arturo Caso, and David Shindle),
and the US Fish and Wildlife Service
(Linda Laack).
The small population size, the inability
of ocelots to move through the
fragmented habitat, and loss of genetic
diversity in Texas all indicate that an
initiative to help save the ocelots from
extinction in Texas is imperative.
The major players most important
for ocelot conservation are the landowners
whose ranches are capable of
supporting ocelot populations.
“I have formed a group of ranchers who are
interested in learning about ocelot ecology or
surveying for ocelots on their property. The key
to ocelot recovery will be private landowners who
own most of the land occupied by ocelots.“
~Dr. Michael Tewes
“Credibility is the key to working
with the ranchers and landowners
of south Texas,” Tewes said. “I have
spent over 30 years cultivating dozens
of relationships with these critical
landowners, and they realize that I am
able to maintain confidentiality with
them and the role they play for ocelot
management.”
“Jan and his lab team work with Dr.
Randy DeYoung, [assistant professor
and research scientist with the Feline
Research Center at the Caesar Kleberg
Wildlife Research Institute at Texas
A&M University–Kingsville], and our
molecular genetics lab to produce
cutting-edge results and information
critical in planning ocelot recovery,”
Tewes said. “We also provide the
field research on ocelots and interface
with the various ranchers, while
Jan contributes the key analyses and
interpretations of data that identify the
directions we need to pursue in ocelot
management.”
The research team is developing
partnerships with government agencies
including Texas Parks and Wildlife and
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to
provide incentives for landowners to
support conservation efforts. The team
is also working closely with ranches to
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