LOS FRESNOS, Texas (NBC/KVEO) — An extremely rare kitten was found at a wildlife refuge in South Texas.
This young ocelot is roaming around the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Preserve in Los Fresnos.
Biologists first found the young feline wandering in front of one of their cameras on the preserve last month.
They think it might be a female less than 6 months old.
Scientists estimate there are only about 50 ocelots in the wild in the United States.
“We’re talking about a species in danger of being extinct,” said Leo Gustafson, Laguna Tascosa. “So with this discovery, we’ve actually found that this population could be on the rise because of the efforts of the Fish and Wildlife service here is conducting.”
The Preserve plans to have a naming contest for the ocelot on its Facebook site.