Density, occupancy and activity patterns of ocelots Leopardus pardalis in north-west Trinidad

Ocelots, Leopardus pardalis , are Trinidad’s apex predator. This geographically isolated island population is under threat from habitat loss, fragmentation, hunting, and depredation-related conflict. Yet no peer-reviewed studies have assessed their population status in Trinidad. We conducted a dry season camera-trap survey in Chaguaramas, north-west Trinidad, to estimate density, activity, and occupancy. Eight individuals were identified, and spatially explicit capture-recapture models estimated density at 0.24 km⁻² (95% CI 0.09–0.61). Occupancy was high (Ψ ≈ 0.99), whereas detectability was low (p ≈ 0.04). Ocelots were primarily nocturnal and showed greatest temporal overlap with red brocket deer Mazama americana trinitatis , an unidentified murid, and Robinson’s mouse opossum Marmosa robinsoni , but low overlap with red-rumped agouti Dasyprocta leporine. Habitat type and elevation did not influence ocelot occupancy. To capture seasonal variation and improve precision, future surveys should include dry and wet season sampling, reduce camera spacing to increase spatial recaptures and expand coverage to more areas of the island.