New records of Leopardus tigrinus (Carnivora: Felidae) in the Department of Santander, Colombia

Abstract

Leopardus tigrinus is the smallest native cat species of America. In Colombia, the species has been rarely registered in agricultural landscapes and mostly registered in highlands of natural habitats like mountain forests, cloud forests, and paramos. However, recent trail-camera and roadkills records have increased the reports of this species into the country, showing that it is also living close to cities. Here, we report the trail camera observations of two individuals of L. tigrinus in the vicinity of Bucaramanga, Santander. This is the third and northern-most record of the Northern Tiger Cat in the department of Santander. Additionally, we made comments on key local challenges for the conservation of this threatened species.