First record of albinism in Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758) in Colombia: conservation implications and captive management

Julián Arango-Lozano; Karime Angarita-Corzo

doi:10.31687/SaremNMS25.1149

Autores

Julián Arango-Lozano Maestría en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Caldas (UCaldas), Manizales, Colombia. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1253-3384
Karime Angarita-Corzo Grupo de investigación CENTAURO, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52–21, Medellín, Colombia. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9192-9989

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31687/SaremNMS25.1149

Palavras-chave:

captive care, genetic mutation, ocelot, wildlife conservation

Resumo

Albinism is a genetic condition characterized by the complete or partial absence of melanin, resulting in white or pink coloration of the skin, fur, and iris. In wild cats this condition may present additional survival challenges, particularly for activities such as hunting or camouflage. However, most cases of this phenomenon are documented in individuals kept in captivity. Here, we report the first documented case of complete albinism in a Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758) in Colombia. The individual, a blind juvenile female, was rescued in 2021 in a biological corridor in the department of Antioquia and currently resides at the Parque de la Conservación in Medellín, where she receives specialized care due to her condition. This report highlights the distinct challenges this animal would likely face in the wild and emphasizes the critical importance of captive care in ensuring its survival.

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