Experimental Release of Orphaned Wild Felids into a Tropical Rainforest in Southwestern Costa Rica

SIMPLE SUMMARY: A male ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and a female margay (Leopardus weidii) brought in from the wild were held in captivity and rehabilitated, then radio-collared, released, and monitored at a national wildlife refuge previously assessed for predator and prey occurrence. Subsequently, the ocelot was trapped while preying on chickens, and the margay was found dead, likely due to ocelot predation. Avoiding habituation to humans, ensuring hunting abilities, and assessing release sites likely is not sufficient to ensure successful release of these species. ABSTRACT: A 3- to 4-mo-old male ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and a 6- to 8-mo-old female margay (Leopardus weidii) were brought in from the wild, held in captivity, and rehabilitated for 906 and 709 days, respectively, at the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center in Costa Rica. During captivity, both cats were kept as isolated as possible from humans and fed appropriate live wild prey. After maturing and demonstrating the ability to capture and feed on live prey, the cats were radio-collared, released at a national wildlife refuge previously assessed for predator and prey occurrence, and monitored. After 54 days, the ocelot was trapped while preying on chickens in a nearby community, and after 20 days, the margay was found dead, likely due to ocelot predation. Avoiding habituation to humans, assuring hunting abilities, and assessing release sites likely is not sufficient to assure successful release of these species, and more experimental releases with innovative and detailed protocols and monitoring are needed.