Acting director of veterinary services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Sophia Ramlal, has clarified that the animal that’s on the loose in Black River, St. Elizabeth is an ocelot.
An ocelot is a a medium-sized spotted wild cat that is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central and South America.
The Jamaica Defence Force, JDF, says the animal was aboard a vessel it intercepted off the south coast. Those aboard were reportedly attempting to smuggle contraband into the island.
In addition to the ocelot, the vessel was reportedly carrying four monkeys, 12 parrots, and a quantity of ganja.
The JDF says the animal escaped its containment area during processing in Black River.
Dr. Ramlal says the presence of an ocelot may pose a health risk to Jamaica.
Dr. Sophia Ramlal, Acting Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture. She was speaking on Nationwide at Five on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining says none of the animals on the vessel were approved by the veterinary services division for entry into the island.
Therefore, the health status of the animals and risk they may present are currently unknown.
The ministry says it’s veterinary services division, the National Environment and Planning Agency, Customs Enforcement Team, Hope Zoo, the JDF and the Jamaica Constabulary Force have been actively managing the unfolding situation.
The public is being advised to be on the lookout for the ocelot and to report any sightings to the named agencies.
The ministry asks that the animal not be captured or harmed.
It says no member of the public should be in possession of the animal as it is not a pet.
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