Feline Biodiversity

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Colombia has 6 different species of felines, and the Colombian Government considers their preservation of major importance because of the high degree of cultural value that these wild cats represent. In actuality, all 6 species are considered either endangered or near endangered species in Colombia. Here is the list if you are keeping track:
  1. Jaguar (Pantera Onca)
  2. Puma (Puma Concolor)

    3. 3. Ocelot (Leopardus Pardalis) 4. Jaguarundi (Puma Yagouarundi) 5. Margay or Tigrillo (Leopardus Weidii)
    6. Oncilla (Leopardus Tigrinus)


The Colombian government considers these species an umbrella species because their conservation indirectly facilitates the preservation of many other species because the large cats (jaguars and pumas) need to live in large areas. Thus, if the cats are preserved, so also is the ecology of many areas of the country.

For more information, you can check out the following pamphlet:

http://www.jaguarnetwork.org/pdf/64.pdf


Photos:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:On%C3%A7a_pintada.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mountain_lion.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ocelot.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Puma_yaguarondi.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Margaykat_Leopardus_wiedii.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tika2009Jan24.jpg

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