Rio the Ocelot Turns 27: A Sanctuary Celebration

On May 28th, 2026, Rio the ocelot celebrated her 27th birthday at The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, Minnesota. The event highlighted her status as the oldest known ocelot in human care.

Life at the Sanctuary

Rio was born in 1999 at an accredited zoo and later moved to a Texas sanctuary before arriving at The Wildcat Sanctuary in 2024. She now enjoys a peaceful retired life, spending time in her hammock or on a platform to watch her enclosure. During Minnesota winters she has a heated indoor space to stay warm.

About Ocelots

Ocelots are medium-sized wildcats that weigh 25-35 pounds. In the wild they average 7-10 years, but in captivity they often live into their 20s. Females can maintain territories of nearly 10 miles while males defend about 35 miles. They inhabit grasslands, thorny scrubland, tropical and subtropical rainforests, coastal marshes, and mangrove swamps. They hunt at night or twilight, mainly eating small rodents, but will also take larger prey such as armadillos, opossums, tortoises, lizards, birds, monkeys, and crabs during the wet season. Ocelots are excellent swimmers and climbers. In Mexico and the United States they are listed as Endangered.

Rio’s Status

After growing up in captivity, Rio is considered “unreleasable wildlife” and cannot be released into the wild. She is not a suitable pet, as wild animals require specialized care that most private owners cannot provide.

Key takeaways

• Rio is 27 years old and the oldest known ocelot in human care.
• She was born in 1999 and arrived at The Wildcat Sanctuary in 2024.
• Ocelots live 7-10 years in the wild but often reach their 20s in captivity.
• Female ocelots defend about 10 miles; males about 35 miles.
• Ocelots are Endangered in Mexico and the United States.
• Rio enjoys a hammock, a platform, and a heated indoor space during winter.
• Ocelots are not suitable pets and require specialized care.
• The Wildcat Sanctuary is not open to the public but cares for many large cats.

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Originally reported by Cole & Marmalade. Read the full article.