Missing Species Returns To Arizona After 50 Years

I remember being in elementary school when I was told about the Dodo Bird. I couldn't comprehend how a creature that seems so normal could feel so alien. A species I'd never see, no matter how much I wanted to.

Many other species have been following the same fate, entering extinction, or leaving behind their normal stomping ground.

We saw a beacon of hope for one this year.

Ocelots

At face value, Ocelots are not the wildlife community's biggest issue. There are plenty of animals that are on the verge of extinction, and the Ocelot is not one of them. In fact, they have been listed as "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The story's a bit different in the Southwest, however.

In Arizona and Mexico, the big cat is considered critically endangered, as they've been leaving the homes they've cultivated and likely heading back to the South American jungles, which many believe is their natural habitat (not true!).

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Read More: Dangerous, Exotic Animal Found in Cochise County!

The Return

Many believed that Ocelots would never return, as it had been nearly 50 years since one was spotted in southern Arizona. June 12th changed everything. Footage captured by trail cameras in the Atascosa Highlands showed nothing else but an Ocelot!

This is a massive find for wildlife enthusiasts, as it likely means that the species feels comfortable returning to the desert climate. What could have changed? No one's sure, but experts at the Phoenix Zoo plan to continue monitoring of the area and hope to put together a reason as to why these lovable cats are making their way back home.

[Phys.org]