Planning, Economic Affairs and Development Minister Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh who also has responsibility for the environment, has strongly condemned the shooting of an ocelot in Granville, Cedros on February 22, and commended the successful rescue efforts by concerned citizens, Game Wardens, and veterinary staff. The animal is recovering under intensive care.
This incident follows the discovery of another ocelot found dead in Grande Riviere with multiple gunshot wounds in December 2025, and reports of at least four other ocelots requiring veterinary treatment for gunshot wounds.
Minister Swaratsingh reminded the public that harming, hunting, capturing, trading, killing, or destroying the habitat of ocelots is strictly prohibited under the Environmental Management Act. As an Environmentally Sensitive Species, violations carry penalties of up to $100,000 and two years imprisonment. The same penalties apply to other protected species including the scarlet ibis, sea turtles, manatees, pawi, and golden tree frog.
The Minister has directed the Environmental Management Authority to work more rigorously with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Forestry Division’s Wildlife Section to bring perpetrators to justice. According to the EMA, the ocelot is Trinidad’s only native wildcat and serves as an apex predator that plays a critical role in maintaining ecological balance.