On weekends, the Zoo may experience high attendance. For your safety and guest experience, the Zoo may need to limit parking once the lots are full. We typically reopen the parking lots once guests start leaving and spaces open. Check on our social media or website for up-to-date information on parking status. Read our tips for visiting.
Ocelots are solitary and maintain their own territories in the wild, only tolerating other ocelots when they are ready to mate. We have a breeding pair so keep them separated until we see signs the female is receptive to breeding. At that time we allow them to spend about 4 days together. In this four-day period they can breed many times. One of the training projects with ocelots is to train the female to allow ultrasound to detect pregnancy. The female voluntarily stands on a platform with a hatch in the bottom where a vet can safely reach her belly with an ultrasound wand. At the same time, the keeper rewards the ocelot with food for cooperating.
The ocelot diet is greatly varied. They receive mice, rats, guinea pigs, ground Toronto zoo diet, salmon, herring, capelin, chicken, rib bones, and even stew meat for a treat!
This species is cooperatively managed as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan program program. This program is responsible for developing a Breeding and Transfer Plan for each species in the program.