The Ocelot: An The Ocelot: An Endangered SpeciesEndangered Species

BY: Zhara MarcelleBY: Zhara Marcelle

Form 1LForm 1L

IntroductionIntroduction

My resource is wildlife.My resource is wildlife. The animal I chose is the ocelot.The animal I chose is the ocelot. The ocelot is spotted and is similar The ocelot is spotted and is similar

to a leopard or jaguar.to a leopard or jaguar. I chose this resource and this I chose this resource and this

animal because I love wildlife and I animal because I love wildlife and I thought the ocelot was very thought the ocelot was very beautiful species of wildcat.beautiful species of wildcat.

Where does it live?Where does it live?

•The ocelot lives in tropical and semi-tropical areas as well as forests and savannahs and sometimes flooded areas.

Why is it Endangered?Why is it Endangered?

The ocelot has been on the The ocelot has been on the Endangered Species List since 1972.Endangered Species List since 1972.

It is endangered due to It is endangered due to deforestation, forcing it to starve or deforestation, forcing it to starve or find new homes.find new homes.

Poaching is also a major problem.Poaching is also a major problem.

Continuation of ReasonsContinuation of Reasons

Ocelot fur can be sold for $40 000 US Ocelot fur can be sold for $40 000 US dollars or more.dollars or more.

Many people keep ocelots as pets.Many people keep ocelots as pets. They are willing to pay thousands of They are willing to pay thousands of

dollars for it.dollars for it.

Why should the people of Why should the people of Trinidad care?Trinidad care?

We should care because not only are We should care because not only are we harming of an animal who poses we harming of an animal who poses no threat to us, but if it died rodents, no threat to us, but if it died rodents, snakes and insects population would snakes and insects population would spiral out of control, since the ocelot spiral out of control, since the ocelot eats these small prey.eats these small prey.

ContinuationContinuation

It would be the loss of an animal that It would be the loss of an animal that is a creature of beauty and could also is a creature of beauty and could also attract tourists to our country.attract tourists to our country.

If the ocelot became extinct which If the ocelot became extinct which animal would be next?animal would be next?

We need to take action and prevent We need to take action and prevent this amazing creature from becoming this amazing creature from becoming extinct!extinct!

Solutions to this Epic Issue!Solutions to this Epic Issue!

• It is not too late. We can still stop the It is not too late. We can still stop the extinction of this cat and the extinction of this cat and the depletion of wildlife in our country depletion of wildlife in our country by:by:

• The government could pass laws to The government could pass laws to protect wildlife.protect wildlife.

• A special sanctuary could be built to A special sanctuary could be built to protect the animal and keep it safe.protect the animal and keep it safe.

Solutions ContinuedSolutions Continued

You could do right thing by You could do right thing by following the law.following the law.

Educate others about this crisis.Educate others about this crisis. Alert the authorities if you know Alert the authorities if you know

someone is breaking the law.someone is breaking the law.

ConclusionConclusion

In conclusion we should all try to In conclusion we should all try to stop this ongoing problem stop this ongoing problem because if we don’t our country because if we don’t our country will loose all its wildlife and what will loose all its wildlife and what will we do then? will we do then?

The ocelot and all other animals The ocelot and all other animals deserve to live.deserve to live.

The EndThe End

SOURCES www.wisegeek.com www.exoticcatz.com www.wildlifeextra.com