Welcome to the Feline Research Center
Wild cats have captured the imagination of humans since the beginning of time. They are products of evolutionary forces that have worked on their carnivore ancestors to make cats one of the most efficient predators in the wildlife kingdom. Little is known about many felid species due to the difficulties researchers face when studying this family. In addition, many populations are now threatened with extinction because of recent anthropogenic pressures. The Feline Research Center at Texas A&M University-Kingsville is dedicated to conducting research on felids to gain understanding of felid ecology and genetics, and apply knowledge gained to conservation and management of wild populations. We have been conducting wild cat research for over 25 years. This website describes our current research activities and interests and we invite you to explore it.
The mission of the Feline Research Center is to conduct basic and applied research on wild cats that contributes to understanding their biology, management and conservation throughout South Texas and other landscapes around the world.
Wild cat research has been ongoing since the inception of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, and under this program, it currently represents one of the leading efforts directed toward the study of wild cats in the world. The quarter-century history of wild cat research and the long-term commitment to multi-year studies demonstrates the critical role the Feline Research Center has played in unraveling the ecological mysteries of these elusive and complex predators.
Ocelots already are endangered in the U.S. and since the mid-20th century, have started living in the shallow end of the gene pool.
The cats, only around 50 to 100 animals living in two groups in southern Texas, must...[more]
The African lion and leopard status in the wild is not well known. This project expands upon our previous work on leopards in Tanzania and examines population abundance and habitat use by the lion and leopard.[more]
MOUNTAIN LIONS are a difficult species to manage. Lions are clearly a rare and valued quarry for many hunters. Conversely, lion predation on livestock, wildlife and pets often brings the felines into conflicts with...[more]