ABQ Times

ABQ BioPark has announced the birth of a critically endangered ocelot kitten on July 8. The new addition was born to nine-year-old Lucy, who is solely responsible for the care of her kittens for at least one year. Currently, Lucy and her kitten are being monitored from a distance to allow natural bonding. The kitten is thriving and will undergo its first veterinary check-up at around six weeks old. It is expected that Lucy will keep her kitten indoors for now.

This marks Lucy's second birth; she had two female kittens, Milla and Leeloo, in 2019. These twins were moved to Texas facilities under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan for ocelots.

In March 2024, Lucy was introduced to Frisco following an AZA breeding recommendation. They spent several months together with hopes of a successful pregnancy. This new kitten is Frisco’s only offspring, marking a significant milestone both for ocelot conservation efforts and his care team.

“We are overjoyed to welcome this new ocelot kitten to our BioPark family," said Casey Taylor, BioPark Assistant Curator. "Every birth of an endangered species like the ocelot is a step forward in our conservation efforts. We are also deeply grateful that Frisco was able to contribute to the preservation of his species, and his legacy will live on through this kitten."

Ocelots have been listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service since 1982. Historically found throughout the Southwest, today their native range in the United States is believed to be limited to South Texas, with fewer than 100 remaining in the wild. Conservation efforts aim to increase their wild population and provide protected land within their native range.