introduction to The Ocelot and Margay and Other Rare Wild Cats Including Caracal, Clouded Leopard, Black Footed Cat, Fishing Cat and Iberian Lynx

As a long-time lover of domestic cats and a firm supporter of big cat conservation, Colette Anderson started researching the Ocelot and Margay to gain a wider knowledge of the smaller wild cats. She was surprised however, to discover how few of the wild cat species around the world she was aware of. She wanted to concentrate on the Ocelot and the Margay as the two species are closely related and can easily be mistaken for each other. As she states "they present fascinating contrasts in their response to their environment. The Ocelot is a terrestrial animal, while the Margay is an amazing arboreal athlete." But then she was stunned to discover the Oncilla, a cat not even photographed until 2005. One discovery led to another: the Andean Cat, Geoffroy's Cat, the Jaguarundi, Kodkod and Pampas Cat. "In no time I was looking at pictures of 32 small cat species scattered around the globe. Some are well known, and many are rare and difficult to study. All, however, are anti-social, regardless of their small size, highly reclusive, and for the most part impervious to domestication - a fact that makes their vulnerability to the pet trade all the more tragic". Colette Anderson has brought together some facts concerning each of these and many more wild species from around the world as she feels each is worthy of our admiration and protection. "That is my major goal with this book. In the end, I hope your eyes will be opened to a whole new world of small wild cats." To encourage the reader to get more involved; there is a collection of conservation websites provided for although many are endangered, all can be saved by the efforts of people genuinely interested in their preservation and protection.