My latest painting in the series “Wildlife. Big Cats” is dedicated to the magnificent ocelot, a beautiful creature whose numbers are steadily declining.
The ocelot’s habitat is increasingly threatened by fragmentation and loss, leading to starvation and a shrinking population. Traffic accidents have become a significant hazard as ocelots are forced to venture beyond their natural environment, often resulting in deadly collisions with vehicles. In the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Argentina, ocelots face additional dangers from deforestation and wildlife poaching.
During the 1960s and 70s, the fur trade was booming, leading to the severe exploitation of felines like the ocelot and jaguar. Ocelot skins were among the most sought-after in the United States. Although the European Economic Community banned the import of ocelot skins in 1986, and the species was included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in 1989, illegal hunting for their pelts remains a serious threat to their survival.
Another significant threat is the domestication of ocelots as pets. Kittens are often captured, and their mothers killed. Despite bans in several countries, the pet trade persists. In some regions of Central and South America, ocelots are still sold in markets. This madness must stop so that ocelots can continue to thrive in the wild, not just exist on canvas.
‘Ocelot’ is an original oil painting on canvas. The artwork is made of high-quality materials. The quality of natural paint pigments, Italian canvas and original fine art are guaranteed. The painting is a unique one-of-a-kind artwork. The size of the linen canvas is 40x 60 cm. It is stretched on wooden bars and ready to hang. The frame is not included. Ships from Denmark.
