Despite its wide distribution, Ocelots are so secretive and nocturnal that even experienced naturalists can spend years in tropical forests without ever seeing one clearly at close range.
Since 1990, SouthWild researchers have studied ancient wildlife management practices developed by indigenous peoples, techniques capable of subtly revealing elusive forest wildlife hidden within the dense green curtain of the rainforest.
Drawing upon this unique combination of traditional knowledge, field research, and decades of behavioral observation, SouthWild became the first operation in the world to reliably guarantee close-range viewing of truly wild Ocelots under natural conditions. Beginning in 2015, guests at SouthWild achieved extraordinary encounters with free-ranging Ocelots at distances of only 6 to 9 meters, often in remarkably favorable lighting conditions deep within the forest.
In 2017, at the request of the National Geographic Earth Live television special, SouthWild further refined these techniques, ultimately producing a stunning live global broadcast of one of our wild Ocelots at only eight meters from the lens of renowned National Geographic photographer Steve Winter.
Today, SouthWild proudly remains the only location in the world where guests enjoy an exceptional opportunity to observe and photograph wild Ocelots at close range in their natural habitat. On most nights, viewing success rates approach 80%, creating one of the rarest and most remarkable feline encounters available anywhere in wildlife tourism.
