How many margays are left in the wild?

Margay
Margay

The very best sources of information about this cat tells me that no one knows how many margays are left in the wild. That might sound bizarre but it is true.

We do know that in the areas where they are found they are rare and uncommon. The number of margays per square kilometer is very low ( 0.01–0.05/km²).

We also know that the world population of the margay continues to decline due primarily to habitat loss which in turn is due to knocking down forests and using the land for commercial enterprise.

The margay was heavily hunted for its skin over many years. This has subsided due to legislation but it still takes place illegally.

Margay numbers are predicted to decline by 30% over the next 18 years.

The sources referred to are:

  1. Wild Cats of the World by Mel and Fiona Sunquist
  2. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species




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