Elusive, Legally-Protected Ocelot Wild Cat Shot Dead In Grande Riviere

The carcass of an Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) wild cat was tragically found with a gunshot wound in Grande Riviere on Wednesday (10th December, 2025) by a community conservation activist.

In a Media Release today (Friday 12th December, 2025), HADCO Experiences, which offers bespoke vacation packages at Asa Wright Nature Centre in Arima, Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel and Pawi Lodge in Grande Riviere, said, “Trinidad and Tobago is home to extraordinary wildlife, much of which we are privileged to witness and protect. Today, however, we must share something deeply difficult. On December 10th, an Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) — one of Trinidad’s most elusive and legally-protected wild cats, was found dead in Grande Riviere by a community conservation activist, Len Peters. The animal showed signs consistent with a recent gunshot. The report was relayed to the team at HADCO Experiences at Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel, and the carcass was recovered by Giselle Ragoonanan, Biodiversity Manager.”

According to HADCO Experiences, “All relevant authorities were notified, including the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), The University of the West Indies (UWI), and the Forestry Division. With EMA’s permission, the specimen was secured and later transferred to the UWI Zoology Museum (UWIZM). The museum’s team collected the specimen on December 11th for genetic, taxonomic, and archival purposes, contributing to Trinidad’s national biodiversity records.”

The Ocelot is Trinidad’s terrestrial apex predator, an essential regulator of small mammal populations and a keystone species in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems.

The company added, “Conservation is not only the beautiful moments, the biodiverse ecosystems, or the success stories. It also includes loss, tragedy, and the consequences of human actions. Incidents like this highlight the ongoing challenges facing wildlife in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly species that are legally protected and already vulnerable to habitat loss, conflict, and persecution. Continued education, enforcement, and community partnership remain essential to reducing preventable deaths.”

The Media Release concluded by saying, “We encourage anyone with information or concerns related to wildlife harm to contact the appropriate authorities. Protecting our native species requires collective responsibility and consistent action. Let this be a reminder and a call to action. We must do better. The future of our wildlife, our communities, and our natural heritage depends on it.”

More on this as it becomes available.