When Calves Get Vulnerable, Ocelots ( Leopardus pardalis ) Get Bold: A Camera Trap Record of Opportunistic Foraging in a Fragmented Landscape

Biotropica 2026 Open access

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Authors: Álvaro Augusto Naves Silva, Vinícius da Fontoura Sperandei, Cássio Cardoso Pereira
DOI: 10.1111/btp.70168
Cited by: 1
References: 27

Abstract

ABSTRACT We report the first confirmed record of an ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis ) dragging a dead calf. This occurred in degraded forest in southeastern Brazil and highlights opportunistic behavior in anthropized landscapes, reinforcing the importance of direct observations for understanding interactions between mesopredators and domestic animals.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Biotropica
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
58
Issue
2
Publication date
9 February 2026
Language
EN