On Sunday 22 February 2026, an injured ocelot was discovered in the forests of Granville, Cedros by concerned citizens, who immediately coordinated with Mr. Steve Seepersad, Game Warden II of the Forestry Division, to ensure the animal was safely transported to the La Romain Veterinary Clinic for urgent medical care. The ocelot had sustained a single gunshot wound along with injuries to its neck and head. These injuries were promptly treated, and the animal is currently recovering under close veterinary supervision.
This incident follows a similar occurrence in early December 2025, when a dead ocelot bearing multiple gunshot wounds was found in Grande Riviere by local conservationists. Regrettably, the shooting of this protected species appears to be increasing. Thankfully, in this most recent case, the animal survived. The ocelot is Trinidad’s only native wildcat and serves as an apex predator within our ecosystems. As a keystone species, it plays a critical role in maintaining ecological balance by
regulating prey populations and supporting overall forest health and productivity.