Rare ocelot spotted in southern Arizona

Arizona Game and Fish Department officials report that a rare ocelot was observed this morning in the Huachuca Mountains in southern Arizona. A man told Game and Fish officers that his dogs began barking at a cat-like animal which quickly climbed a tree. He drew closer and suspected that the small spotted cat might be an ocelot. An ocelot is a rare and endangered species of cat. The man called Game and Fish and an officer responded to the site and confirmed that it was, in fact, an ocelot. The officer did a non-intrusive, visual inspection of the animal from the ground near the tree, and the animal appeared to be healthy. There was no indication that there had been any dog-to-cat direct interaction, as no wounds were visible on any animal. Once the final confirmation was determined, the officer directed that all humans and dogs retreat from the area, and the ocelot, apparently unharmed, was allowed to go on his way...more