Tuesday December 12, 2023.

A Close Encounter with Ocelots in Las Catalinas 

An extraordinary wildlife moment was captured by Las Catalinas’ collaborator, José Armando Ramírez last Friday morning. The agroforestry team was completing maintenance on town’s hiking and trail running trails when they were treated to this unexpected encounter with wildlife. José Armando was able to snap pictures of this rare ocelot sighting on Trail B, by Station B10. 

The ocelot, scientifically known as Leopardus pardalis, is one of the three feline species documented in Las Catalinas. This sighting serves as a reminder of the remarkable biodiversity thriving in the tropical dry forest, emblematic of one of Guanacaste's rich ecosystems. Thanks to dedicated reforestation efforts by the Agroforestry team in the trail areas, an abundance of wildlife, like the ocelot, has found a renewed sanctuary in this habitat. 

Jose Armando, also known as “Primo,” has been working on the Las Catalinas team since 2008 and is a leader in Agroforestry. During his time with Las Catalinas, he has developed a keen ability to spot the beauty that graces our landscape. 

The captivating sighting of the ocelot, referred to as "ocelote" or "manigordo" in Spanish, is a singular glimpse into the diverse array of biodiversity that awaits discovery in this unique town. Learn more about conservation at Las Catalinas here.