The San Diego Zoo has had a variety of small cat species over the years, starting with ocelots and bobcats in 1925. In 1934, our first ocelot was born, and in 1938, our first golden cats were born. Other significant births include clouded leopards, West Mexican margays, and Indian leopard cats.
Today, Zoo visitors can see caracals, ocelots, servals, Eurasian lynx, fishing cats, and mountain lions. Many have been trained as animal ambassadors that are brought out by their keepers or trainers to meet guests up close, go to schools for assembly programs, and make appearances on TV. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has an ocelot living in our Condor Ridge habitat, and a caracal and servals that help us as animal ambassadors. They can be seen in keeper talks throughout the Park. Connecting people to wildlife, such as these amazing small cats, is part of our mission!
Small cats’ numbers are getting smaller, and researchers believe there are two reasons for this decline:
Fur trade— Since the penalties for hunting big cats have increased, people have begun hunting the small, spotted cats for their fur. Coats made from cat fur are still popular in parts of Europe and Asia. Since small cats have smaller skins, as many as 25 cats must be killed to make one fur coat. Like their larger cousins, small cats can be helped if people stop wearing their fur.
Loss of habitat— The other threat to the survival of small cats is loss of their habitat due to development of towns, cities, and farms. When people move into their habitat, small cats are often viewed as a threat to pets, livestock, or humans, and so they are killed. We can protect small cats by preserving their habitat and by learning to live with them. Keep in mind that they are important predators that control populations of potential pests like rodents.
The black-footed cat has a limited range in southern Africa and has received very little attention by the conservation community. San Diego Zoo Global is part of the Black-footed Cat Working Group and has taken a leading role in identifying a disease that may threaten fragile black-footed cat populations. Camera traps and radio collars are used to learn more about the little felids. Biological samples collected from black-footed cats are stored in our Frozen Zoo® and provide a long-term renewable resource of genetic material, including DNA samples for studies into the conservation genetics of this species.