Celebrating the charm of ocelots

Join us in lifting up these wild cats! ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Ocelot - Martinus Scriblerus]( Defenders is on the ground working to protect endangered ocelots from threats. The ocelots are so charming that South Texas holds an annual Ocelot Conservation Day festival. See why America’s ocelots are worth celebrating. What are ocelots? If you’re a keen-eyed cat connoisseur in South Texas, you may be lucky enough to spot one of America’s most adorable wildcats: the ocelot! These cunning creatures are about the size of house-cats, but make no mistake – they have a strong paw-sition in the wild. Where do they live? Not long ago, ocelots could be found across the entire Southwest. However, due to persecution and being hunted for their fur, they have almost disappeared in the U.S. Sadly, you’ll find only a small population of 60 to 80 ocelots in South Texas. So what's happening now? Ocelots are real paw-sitive contributors to the Texas landscape, but they're up against some serious challenges, like habitat fragmentation and treacherous traffic. It's time for us to lend them a helping paw. How can I help? Together, we can help these cats come back. Defenders is raising awareness of the presence of these furry felines on the landscape. We’re also fighting against industrial infrastructure that disrupts ocelot habitat. Your support paves a way for ocelots to prowl across the Southwest once again. Want to see more? [Check out our Day in the Life video about Ocelot Conservation Day, featuring Defenders’ Senior Texas Representative Shari Wilcox!]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( Defenders of Wildlife 1130 17th Street NW • Washington, DC 20036 defenders.org --------------------------------------------------------------- Photo credit: Ocelot © Martinus Scriblerus This email was sent to {EMAIL} Please do not respond to this email. [Unsubscribe here]( or update your preferences [here!]( [supporter]