Ocelots are medium-sized wild cats of Central and South American forests, facing welfare threats from habitat fragmentation, road mortality, and persecution in human-modified landscapes.
Ocelot welfare in fragmented Central American landscapes is chronically compromised by the dangers of crossing roads and agricultural land between forest patches. Road mortality is a leading cause of death in ocelot populations near major transport corridors. Young males dispersing from natal territories face the highest mortality risk as they navigate unfamiliar, fragmented terrain. Retaliatory killing following poultry predation causes direct welfare harm and population pressure. Wildlife crossing structures, speed reduction measures near known crossing points, and compensation schemes for poultry losses address the primary welfare threats to ocelots in modified landscapes.