Phoenix, AZ — A field camera deployed by the Phoenix Zoo has recorded a rare sighting of an ocelot in southern Arizona, marking the first confirmed presence of this endangered species in the Atascosa Highlands region in at least 50 years. The video, captured in June, was reviewed by a multi-agency team who verified the ocelot’s identity.
According to the Phoenix Zoo, the camera was part of the Atascosa Complex Wildlife Study, which began in April under a U.S. Forest Service research permit. During a July field trip, zoo researchers discovered the footage while checking the cameras. The excitement of the discovery was palpable, with one researcher noting, “I was in disbelief at first, watching the video over and over again.”
Ocelots have been listed as endangered in the U.S. since 1972. Arizona Game and Fish Department experts conducted a pelage spot analysis to confirm that this was indeed a new ocelot, distinct from others previously seen in the state. This significant finding underscores the importance of ongoing wildlife conservation efforts in the region.