‘Outgoing’ ocelot and her timid partner have surprising ‘love story’ at NC Zoo
An extroverted ocelot and her timid partner have a surprising “love story” at the North Carolina Zoo.
“Their long-term relationship is truly unique, as ocelots are typically solitary animals,” the zoo wrote in a Facebook post. “But these two share a special bond, with energetic and outgoing Inca complementing reserved and laid-back Diego! After meals, Inca rushes back to Diego to lick his face clean — how sweet is that??”
The wildlife park posted about the ocelot couple’s relationship Feb. 12, days before Valentine’s Day. The pair has had 10 kittens over their nearly 20 years together.
“A love story for the ages!” wrote the zoo, which is located in Asheboro.
Since the two ocelots were first paired in 2006, Inca has become known for being “sweet” and inquisitive.
“She’s surprisingly outgoing for a reclusive cat species, more energetic and curious than her laid-back mate Diego,” the zoo wrote on social media in December. “She often excitedly rubs her cheeks on everything when receiving food but becomes impatient if it takes too long! After eating, she’s always eager to return to Diego.”
Meanwhile, Diego enjoys participating in enrichment activities at the zoo.
“Diego is known to be a shy cat at first, as he takes his time to warm up to his keepers,” the zoo wrote on Facebook in 2023. “As a nocturnal cat, he loves to spend his nights in his outdoor habitat and sometimes leaves evidence of hunting local prey.”
Inca and Diego are in their 20s, beyond ocelots’ average 12-year life span in the wild. The animals can be found living from South Texas to parts of South America, according to the wildlife park and the San Diego Zoo.
The North Carolina Zoo on its website said its ocelot pair is sometimes separated due to the species’ typical mating behavior in the wild. McClatchy News reached out to clarify how much time Inca and Diego spend together and is awaiting a response.
Asheboro is a roughly 70-mile drive west from Raleigh.
