Surprise: wild ocelot children were born in Texas

"Every cat is a symbol of hope!" Biologists Fish Wildlife Service and the United States share their joy in mid-January, after the birth of four kittens Ocelot in the Texas territory. For the first time in 20 years in the US, where these cats were practically eliminated.

In fact, the puppies are born in April. But scientists have been careful to reveal the news too quickly to preserve the curiosity ditch. type "Leopardus" cats can be domesticated. And many will not resist his big eyes, reminiscent of Puss in Boots Shrek films.

However, ocelots are endangered in the United States. 50% of them have been decimated in 10 years, leaving only fifty individuals scattered throughout the state of Texas alone. Their habitat was originally extended from Arizona to Louisiana or the entire south-central Somalia. There are significant populations of ocelots in Mexico and in almost all countries in South America, where the species is not in danger.

The kittens were born in Texas are so important news that US specialists. E 'in the land dedicated to the protection of wildlife researchers have identified the four babies, including a little boy of only 400 grams. A quick check made it possible to say that he was healthy.

Six other female ocelot were spotted with small, after this first discovery. "One of them gave birth to twins, said Hilary Swarts, a biologist from the Department of Fish and Wildlife United States, interviewed by National Geographic. This is rare and very exciting for us." Seven women currently living in Texas on protected land, with their offspring. They have reached the age of learning to hunt. The first months of life of an ocelot kitten are extremely delicate, species with many predators. The females usually changes several times terrier. But the movement to increase your chances of being crushed by a car.

This is actually the leading cause of death in the United States Ocelotes. People live in isolation, to avoid using the roads. The genetic mixture decreases and makes animals less resistant to disease. The loss of habitat has been destroyed 95% for agriculture and urban development, also it plays a role in the disappearance of these cats. And the United States' belatedly set up a metro system, which allows wildlife to move on the roads. Since 2014, eight of these passages have been installed all over the state of Texas. This partly explains the baby boom of 2016. "We have made great progress in reducing the threats to these felines, welcomes Hilary Swarts. Ocelot and do their job. Ocelotes do more»