First insights of ocelot movement in north-western Costa Rica

Abstract

Ocelot Leopardus pardalis movements and ecology are poorly known in Central America. Using satellite telemetry, we assessed the movements and use of space by a single male ocelot in north-western Costa Rica. After 58 days of post-release monitoring (892 locations), space use area varied from 28.2 to 44.91 km², depending upon the estimation method. This single male ocelot used mostly primary forest near human developed areas and showed activity peaks at night.