Conservation
Local activities and actions are needed, which is why the GCWG works in different regions and locally.
 

Geoffroy's cat    

The Geoffroy's cat (scientific name: Leopardus geoffroyi) is a small felid that is found in south-central South America.

Species distribution occurs from southern Bolivia to southern Argentina and Chile.

IUCN MAP

 

 

How to identify the wildcat? 

The individuals present the coat color from light gray to ocher, with small black spots, generally solid; in some regions there are also black (melanistic) individuals. The weight of cats can vary between 2 to 6 kg, with males being larger than females.

 

Habitat and Ecology

It is a solitary cat, nocturnal and typical of more open environments, such as savannas and fields with shrub cover and gallery or gallery forests. In these open areas there are records associated   with landscape modified by human activities, for example, pastures and agriculture, as well as in areas with dense, shrub and tree vegetation, probably related to the availability of prey and the need for protection.
Although considered to be solitary species, these cats seem to have a certain level of coexistence tolerance, even among unrelated individuals.
The diet is based largely on vertebrates, mainly mammals, small rodents, but also birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians.

Threats

The species is not considered threatened globally, but in several regions it is categorized as threatened locally.
 

Retaliatory killing

killing by dogs

Fires

Poisoning

 Diseases

Roadkills

Habitat alteration and destruction

 

 

Who we are?

 

The Geoffroy’s Cat Working Group (GCWG) is a network of conservationists, researchers and enthusiasts. We aim to help the survival of Geoffroy’s cat wild populations and natural habitats across their entire distribution range. Our network was created in December 2020 and we already have more than 40 members spread across the six countries where this species lives.


Our strategy

People need to know the species, its biology and threats to conservation to support our efforts. We will use social media to raise public awareness and, at the same time, carry out environmental education campaigns in local communities.
We are now collectively identifying the local factors that threaten the wildcat, in order to prioritize actions. Each member's project has its own objectives and aims to answer different questions related to the species. However, all of the projects in our working group involve the conservation of the species among its objectives, and the GCWG will build on these pre-existing projects. We are supporting conservation actions such as:

  • Awareness programs with children and using social media to reduce future threats;
  • Surveys and monitoring of wildcat populations in different regions of their distribution;
  • Alignment and application of government policies (local, regional and national);
  • Partnerships and financing for existing rescue, rehabilitation and release centers;
  • Actions to reduce pedestrian accidents (speed reducer, fences, outdoors, etc.).
  • Reduction of conflicts
  • Finally, when necessary, we will support research aimed at improving our understanding of the ecological needs of this wild cat.

During our first year, we are selecting projects that are already running or intend to initiate mitigation actions as our priority projects. The projects are already committed and engaged and GCWG are helping and supporting each one GCWG in conservation actions.

Map of the location of our projects: 

Meet our team

 

Partner institutions:

Our actions

Actions

Our actions are designed to reduce the threats of the species in the different places where it occurs. The actions are carried out based on the local culture and on the results of scientific studies.
We have already obtained financing for 14 projects of the group that are already carrying out conservation actions or that are starting. The aid was donated by the Small Wild Cat Conservation Fund and the Shared Earth Foundation.

Projects 
We have developed and supported different conservation projects spread throughout the distribution of the species, our projects are focused on understanding the anthropic effects on the populations of Geoffroy’s cat and helping to solve them with mitigation actions.

Be a partner institution

 

Actions

Actions

Geoffroy's Cat Day

January 28th is the world Geoffroy’s Cat Day, 2021 was the first year that we celebrated that day with a lot of engagement on social media! Artists made beautiful illustrations and many people got involved around the globe.

Let's celebrate every year! Don't miss it and come celebrate with us! Partnership with http://www.geoffroyscats.com.

 

 

Contribute to the conservation of Geoffroy's cat

MAKE A DONATION

Email
contact@geoffroyscatwg.org
   
   

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