An ocelot discovered dead in Grande Riviere, Toco, nearly one week ago has been determined to have been shot multiple times.
Following an official necropsy and specimen preparation by the UWI Zoology Museum, it was revealed that the animal, a young adult male measuring 81 centimetres, was assessed to be in good overall physical condition before its death.
The specimen will now be prepared for museum display, with skeletal elements and its pelt preserved for educational and research purposes.
The ocelot was discovered dead by community conservationist Len Peters on December 10th. The incident was reported to relevant authorities, including the Environmental Management Authority, the University of the West Indies, and the Forestry Division.
The ocelot is protected and is considered an Environmentally Sensitive Species in Trinidad and Tobago.