The adaptation of the margay Goose is accelerating and encouraging the future formation of a pair with the resident female Lecia

At Terra Natura Benidorm, we are progressing in the adaptation and pairing process of a margay (Leopardus wiedii) named Goose with the resident female, Lecia, as part of the European conservation programme for this species. The margay is a Neotropical feline whose natural range extends from Mexico to northern Argentina, closely associated with dense forest habitats and increasingly affected by threats such as deforestation, habitat fragmentation and illegal wildlife trafficking. In just two weeks, the newly arrived male has exceeded initial expectations, showing very positive behavioural development and a steady, progressive integration with the female.

Although our technical team initially estimated that the animal would require around a month to adapt gradually to its new environment, the results have been particularly encouraging from the outset. A key moment was with the onset of the female’s oestrus period — a time of maximum physical and hormonal receptivity that encouraged mutual interest. While the male initially showed some caution during the first encounters, within a few days both animals began to accept each other fully, sharing space and establishing a calm interaction without any signs of aggression.

Because of the species’ strongly independent and territorial nature, pairing processes require careful planning and continuous observation. The female enters oestrus for only a few days and may produce soft vocalisations to attract the male, initiating a brief but intense courtship period. The coordination between the veterinary team and animal keepers has therefore been essential to check each behavioural signal and adjust the timing of interactions accordingly.

After the quarantine period, Goose began a gradual adaptation protocol that initially included visual and olfactory contact before controlled interactions were introduced. At the same time, the facility was enhanced to increase environmental complexity, incorporating elevated structures and multiple refuge points that encourage natural behaviours such as scent marking, arboreal exploration and shared use of space. Goose now occupies his permanent facility and regularly uses the outdoor area together with Lecia, with both animals showing mutual curiosity and a calm coexistence.

The margay is one of the most distinctive felines of the American continent. Nocturnal and largely solitary, it spends much of its life in the trees. Its extraordinary arboreal abilities — including the capacity to rotate the tarsal joints of its hind feet by up to 180 degrees, descend tree trunks headfirst or hang from a single limb while stalking prey — makes it a highly specialised predator within forest ecosystems.

This progress represents an important step forward in the coordinated efforts being carried out across Europe to keep a genetically viable population under human care. The establishment of new breeding pairs is essential for a species that remains relatively rare in European zoological institutions and has a moderate reproductive rate, highlighting the importance of every advance within the conservation programme.