Wild cats in Brazil face diseases due to habitat fragmentation and contact with domestic animals

Wild felines such as the puma, the ocelot, the jaguarundi, and the jaguar face a critical scenario in Brazil: the accelerated loss of habitats, the illegal wildlife trafficking, and human pressure in different biomes.

Fragmentation turns natural areas into disconnected “islands,” increasing the risk of contact with domestic animals and, consequently, exposure to diseases.

The bridge with domestic cats

Brazil ranks third in the world in the number of pets, with about 30 million domestic cats. This is in addition to 10 million stray cats, according to the WHO.

This context favors the emergence of feral animals, hybridization with wild species, and the spread of diseases that compromise the genetics and health of wild felines.

Species at greater risk

Among the most threatened is the Leopardus munoai, known as the pampas cat. Endemic to the Pampa biome, it faces multiple threats:

• Predation of domestic birds, making it a target for persecution.
• Habitat reduction and roadkill.
• Exposure to diseases transmitted by cats and dogs.

Its already scarce population is further compromised by these factors.

Detected diseases

A 2024 study on wild felines in Brazil identified exposure risks to:

• Feline leukemia (FeLV).
• Feline panleukopenia (FPV).
• Canine distemper (CDV): although it primarily affects dogs, other felines are susceptible and can die from its symptoms.
• Rabies: although not reservoirs, wild felines can act as vectors and transmit the virus to humans and other species.

The presence of antibodies against rabies in jaguars from the Pantanal and the Emas National Park confirms exposure in ecologically valuable protected areas.

Emerging new threats

• Feline sporotrichosis: caused by the fungus Sporothrix brasiliensis, it causes severe lesions and can be fatal without treatment. Cases in domestic cats increased by 133% between 2022 and 2023, according to the Ministry of Health.
• Bartonella henselae: bacteria responsible for cat scratch disease (CSD). Although usually benign in felines, it can be fatal in immunodeficient humans.

Prevention measures

Experts agree that the conservation of wild felines depends on:

• Mass vaccination of domestic dogs and cats.
• Protection of natural areas to reduce contact between wildlife and urban animals.
• Constant monitoring of pathogens and epidemiological studies to anticipate outbreaks.

Brazil’s wild cats face a double threat: habitat loss and exposure to diseases transmitted by domestic animals.

The situation demands comprehensive policies that combine biome conservation, health control, and citizen education. Without these measures, species like the pampas cat or the jaguar could see their populations reduced to irreversible levels.