0:01
The ocelot is one of the most beautiful and elusive animals in North America.
0:07
Solitary and nocturnal, they move through the scrub lands of South Texas like ghosts in the night.
0:15
Even in captivity, their perfect camouflage makes them hard to spot.
0:21
Ocelots once ranged throughout Texas and N into Arkansas and Oklahoma, but after centuries of hunting and habitat loss, there are now less than 100 individuals left in the United States.
0:36
Many of these precious few live on the sprawling El Sows Ranch near the Gulf and the Mexico border.
0:44
Today, we're on a mission to help save them.
0:48
Well, here we are.
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Remote South Texas.
0:51
Yeah, it's gorgeous here.
0:53
It's such thick brush and scrubbing.
0:55
Perfect camouflage.
0:57
This is a cat that has spots, stripes and rosettes.
0:59
It just disappears into this habitat.
1:01
They're gorgeous.
1:02
I can't wait to see them.
1:03
Neither can I.
1:06
Elsaus has been a working cattle ranch for over 150 years.
1:11
It's home to white tailed deer, wild boar, antelope and more than 350 species of birds and some of the last remaining ocelots in the United States.
1:25
If you see an image and you see this just exquisitely beautiful animal, you can't help but want to have that animal continue to live here and to have more of them.
1:36
Ben Masters is a wildlife photographer who has accomplished a near impossible feat.
1:42
Gathering hundreds of hours of ocelot footage in the wild.
1:46
There had never really been well photographed or videoed before ever in history, and once we figured them out, we were able to get just the first ever glimpse into their lives.
2:00
Hopefully, with Ben's help, we'll be able to witness something that few Americans have ever seen.
2:06
Hi, Doctor.
2:07
Ray.
2:08
Ben Masters.
2:08
So nice to meet you.
2:10
Ben.
2:10
I'm Ray.
2:10
Nice to meet you, too.
2:11
And out here in your home away from home?
2:14
Yeah.
2:15
We're in one of the most special places in the United States.
2:17
No doubt about it.
2:18
Yeah, well, some of your footage I've seen, and it's incredible, but I really want to get to know your process.
2:24
It took us about a month and a half of camera trapping in here with about 20 different cameras before we got our first picture.
2:31
Slowly and surely we kind of figured out what kind of trails they like to walk down, what kind of habitat they prefer.
2:38
I've had the really good fortune to follow these cats through kittenhood and really get to know them on a, on a personal level.
2:45
It's been, you know, a highlight of of my career and I would consider it to be a highlight of my life as well.
2:50
It's really special.
2:52
Well, you've been learning about these ocelots and now I want to learn from you about how you do this trapping.
2:57
I mean, teach me like I'm your student.
2:59
So let's do it.
3:01
All right, let's go on a brush crawl.
3:03
All right, let's do it.
3:04
I want to see these traps of yours.
3:06
There's many names for a brush crawl, such as thorndive.
3:10
OK, the tip tromp.
3:12
Oh, I don't like that one.
3:15
Well, if you don't like tics, we should head back now.
3:18
OK, I'll tough it out this time in the name of ocelot conservation.
3:23
As we make our way into the brush, we instantly notice the pathways used by ocelots.
3:28
You'll see these little cat sized trails and that's what they walk down.
3:35
Ocelots prefer areas of thick vegetation.
3:38
Places to hide are essential for their breeding and nursing.
3:47
And you can see, oh, I see it very well hidden.
3:51
Take a look at this one.
3:53
OK, all right, well, maybe, maybe, maybe you never know what these things.
3:58
Hello.
4:02
And oh, a rabbit.
4:05
I like it.
4:06
That's a nice little rabbit.
4:08
That was right over here.
4:12
OK, javelina.
4:14
Javelina.
4:16
Well, let's check that out.
4:17
That's exciting.
4:18
Wow.
4:18
They're pretty big, huh?
4:19
They're kind of tall.
4:21
That's pretty cool.
4:23
He's scratching his back on the tree.
4:25
On this tree right here.
4:27
And another one over there in the distance.
4:31
Yeah, this time it's night, Little rabbit.
4:34
Nothing right with it.
4:37
Hey, there's your first Ocelot night.
4:43
I don't think we're going to get one.
4:45
All right.
4:46
Are you ready?
4:46
I'm going to replay.
4:52
So you know this animal.
4:54
I know that individual.
4:55
Yeah.
4:56
Yeah.
4:57
And she knows me like they watch us.
4:59
And so she could be right around here right now.
5:03
So who's this?
5:04
Who's this new person?
5:05
Look at that.
5:12
It's a kitten.
5:13
No.
5:13
Is that a kitten?
5:14
That's a kitten.
5:16
That's a kitten.
5:19
Yeah, it is.
5:20
It is.
5:21
You did not get so lucky to get kitten on day one.
5:24
Look, look.
5:28
Oh my gosh.
5:32
Yes, yes, you.
5:33
This is you.
5:33
Wow.
