Ocelot Conservation Project

Paria Springs Trust is a non-profit company whose aim is conservation and provides the "Eco" component of the Paria Springs Project, which is an ecotourism project based on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. The vision of Paria Springs Trust is the conservation of all natural habitats and wildlife in Trinidad and Tobago, with a focus on conservation of the Ocelot, our only wildcat. The two primary threats in Trinidad and Tobago to a thriving Ocelot population are hunting and habitat destruction. In order to combat these threats the Ocelot Conservation Project uses three synergistic approaches: Education, Science and Advocacy. This approach is designed to achieve lasting conservation of the Ocelot population in Trinidad and possible reintroduction of this keystone predator to Tobago.

Education

The basic premise for the Ocelot Conservation Education Programme is that no matter what laws are passed for the conservation of endangered species, if rural communities do not wish to conserve them the laws have little to nil effect, hence they are doomed to failure. Consequently, what is required is a change of attitude, which can be achieved through education programmes. The Ocelot Conservation Education Programme will educate people key to the conservation of the Ocelot on its conservation, natural history, its habitats and their ecology, how to locate it, the wildlife around them, the legal issues surrounding it and the importance of its role as a keystone and umbrella species. The programme will also provide the participants with skills that would make them employable in the spheres of ecotourism or conservation such as nature tour guides or wildlife wardens. Together these will both provide personnel for research into the Ocelot and support for the Trust's Ocelot conservation efforts.

Science

The reason for scientific study of the Ocelots in Brasso Seco, Paria and Trinidad is that each population of Ocelots will take on their own characteristics adapted to suit the terrain, availability of food and other unique conditions that apply. Hence, conservation will only be effective when the ecology of the Ocelots in the area, both specifically as it applies to the ocelots and generally as it applies to the habitat, is fully understood. The research is focused under the following:

• Population Survey
• Population Health
• Ecology
• Habitat
• Health of Habitats
• Recommendations & Implementation of Conservation Measures

It is expected that conservation efforts will have to meet the Ocelot's needs for large land space for their territories, suitable and abundant prey to sustain a healthy diet and suitable habitat for reproduction. Primarily this will mean conservation of large tracts of land in which pristine forest ecosystems exist. This protection can start immediately with the purchase of land for conservation, then starting reforestation efforts on these lands to ensure the Ocelots have food sources and habitat for reproduction. However, in order to be effective long term protection will have to be shaped by the data resulting from the research.

In the medium to long term, monitoring programmes will be set up to see if the Ocelot populations are still declining, are stabilized, or growing, then based on which scenario is happening decisions can be taken to change the conservation tactics to suit the Ocelots' changing needs. For instance, if the conservation efforts are successful in stabilizing the population but not in increasing it, then a breeding and release programme may be developed to increase the population.

Advocacy

Advocacy aspects to the project will include informative videos, brochures and posters, which will bring awareness of the need to conserve the Ocelot to the population at large. Along with clothing apparel, hats, pins and other items with a conservation message that may be sold thus spreading the message while providing income. Paria Springs will attend regular community meetings throughout the two islands at which brochures will be handed out with a short but inspiring talk or a showing of the video on the Ocelot and the need to conserve it. The posters will be placed in Community Centres, Post Offices, Rum Shops and other meeting points to support these meetings. This will be coupled with a documentary will be made of the Ocelot in its natural habitat demonstrating its beauty, ecology and why it must be conserved and the work being done by Paria Springs Trust to conserve it. The documentary will also highlight the Ocelot's primary habitat, the rainforest, and its unique and beautiful inhabitants. These advocacy programmes will also be taken to Government agencies that would be involved in developing laws, development of national parks, and other endeavours that would impact on the conservation programmes.

Paria Springs Trust will be working with the various stakeholders including conservation NGOs, community organizations in the areas where projects will be undertaken and others.

The Ocelot Conservation Project is a long-term project whose success will ripple throughout the natural and human environments of Trinidad and Tobago. Giving nationals a better understanding of the need for conservation and the tools to effectively manage and conserve Trinidad and Tobago's heritage. Resulting in the conservation of the Ocelot, the habitats that it lives in and that live in those habitats.

If you wish to assist us in our effort to develop the Ocelot Conservation Project either financially or otherwise please contact Courtenay Rooks at rooks@pariasprings.com.