04/21/2026
Yay for Ocelot "Himdam" or "Traveler" - named by the San Xavier District of the Tohono O'odham Nation
Exciting news today in the world of rare Sky Island kitties. Recently, Sky Island Alliance and Phoenix Zoo published a study describing the remarkable journey of a male ocelot across four mountain ranges in the Sky Islands of Arizona, the longest-known trek by a single member of the species.
This ocelot — recently named “Himdam” or “Traveler” by the San Xavier District of the Tohono O'odham Nation — covered at least 111 miles and crossed I-19, AZ-82, and AZ-83 (at least twice) as it moved among the Atascosa Highlands, Whetstone Mountains, Patagonia Mountains, and Santa Rita Mountains. It also did so in the shadow of border wall construction, mine expansion, and I-11 corridor exploration, underscoring the fragility of our region and the threats wildlife face.
One of the more fascinating aspects of this story is that the ocelot was detected in four separate ranges by four organizations (Phoenix Zoo, Center for Biological Diversity, Sky Island Alliance, and The Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center), who then collaborated to tell the story.
Get that full story with photos and videos in our blog: https://ow.ly/Zyae50YJ6lo
Then sign up for our virtual Coffee Break on May 14, where we’ll be joined by our partners to discuss this intrepid cat and what’s next for ocelot conservation: https://ow.ly/OslP50YJ6lj
Learn more in this press release: https://ow.ly/Muew50YMQjO
Map showing the four locations where Himdam was spotted in 2024-2025 courtesy Sky Island Alliance and Phoenix Zoo. At right, a collage from the four organizations’ footage, showing the rosettes that helped scientists know it was the same cat.
/ Phoenix Zoo / Center for Biological Diversity / Sky Island Alliance / The Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center / Tohono O'odham Nation
