September/October 2013 • Volume 57 Issue 5 TABLE OF SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013 | VOLUME 57, ISSUE 5 contentscontents

Features

6 Out Of Africa Wildlife Park’s Orientation Regarding Our Captive Animals Dean Harrison describes how the Park meets the animals’ needs. 66

8 A Few of Our Favorite Cats Robert and Sandralee Hohn share stories of special felines.

10 Wildcat Weekend in Sunny Sarasota, Florida! Head for Big Cat Habitat and take FCF instruc- tional courses.

11 Big Cat Habitat is the “Purrfect” Place for Learning and Fun Husbandry and Educator students will gain exclusive access to this preserve.

12 Jasmine and Sebastian Get Ready for Halloween! Jennifer Kasserman on Geoffroy’s cats and their love of pumpkins.

13 European Wild Cat Adventure Fred Hood captures rare cats on camera on exhibit at top zoos and parks.

1616 1111 3030 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 JOIN THE FCF IN ITS CONSERVATION EFFORTS WWW.FELINECONSERVATION.ORG A membership to the FCF entitles you to six issues of the Journal, the back-issue DVD, an invitation to FCF husbandry and wildlife education courses and annual convention, and participation in our online discussion group. The FCF works to improve captive feline husbandry and conservation. The FCF supports captive and wild habitat protection, and provides support for captive husbandry, breeding programs, and public education. Send $35 annual dues ($40 Canada, $50 international) to FCF, 141 Polk Road 664, Mena, AR 71953.

Features cont. Contact Us 18 Social Media Policy Julia Wagner shares how Con- FOUNDER: DIRECTORS: servators’ Center deals with Catherine Cisin Conservation sharing information. Pat Callahan 19 Business Cat-titude - Bringing EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: 1961 Connecticut Ave Awareness to Your Facility Lynn Culver Cincinnati, OH 45224 Jim Broaddus of BCFC lands new [email protected] 513-541-7867 [email protected] webpage and facility signage. OFFICERS: 21 2014 FCF Convention is Being President Chris Tromborg Held in Scottsdale, Arizona! Kevin Chambers 217 Baja Avenue 7816 N CR 75 W Davis, CA 95616 It’s time to make plans to attend Shelburn, IN 47879 530-753-2763 the best convention ever. 812-397-2302 [email protected] 36 Enrichment 101 [email protected] Thunder Bobcat pens this tongue Jim Sanderson, Ph.D. Vice President 356 Freeman Street in cheek account on how to keep Mindy Stinner Hartford, CT 06106 the “peeps” happy. P.O. Box 882 505-720-1204 Mebane, NC 27302 [email protected] 336-421-0065 Conservation [email protected] JOURNAL STAFF: Managing Editor: 30 Wildlife Conservation Expo 2013 Secretary Lynn Culver Chris Tromborg manned the Debi Willoughby FCF table at the annual WCN 281 Albee Road Layout/Copy Editor: Expo. Uxbridge, MA 01569 Eden Tran, [email protected] 508-380-4722 [email protected] Associate Editor: Journal Reporter: Judith Hoffman Brande Redfield Husbandry Treasurer Lynn Culver Membership Services: 141 Polk Road 664 Jennifer Kasserman 16 Late Summer Trauma and Panic Mena, AR 71953 816-674-7277 Doug Kildsig takes us step by 479-394-5235 membershipservices step through a recent bout of ill- [email protected] @felineconservation.org ness. 24 Catsitting and Enrichment The Feline Conservation Federation publishes the Journal Tina Bayer finds out what dri- Organization bimonthly. The FCF is non-profit, (Federal ID#59-2048618) ves our cats wild. noncommercial,and international in membership, devoted to 28 Mocha 4 the welfare and conservation of exotic felines. Chuck Bunnell shares quick Letter from the President The Journal publishes articles on exotic feline conservation fixes to keep our felines safe and husbandry, management, and regulatory and legislative from unwelcome invaders. 5 From the Executive Director issues affecting ownership for our members. The author’s 37 Short Primer on Kidney Failure point of view does not necessarily represent the point of view in Cats of the organization. Reproduction of any material in the Jour- Lynn Culver compiles informa- 30 Registered Handlers tion on acute and chronic renal nal may not be made without the written permission of the disease. original copyright owners and/or copyright owner, FCF. 33 FCF Education Committee Letters to the editor and guest editorials are also published. 38 Aben’s Story Lynn Culver shares the loss of Would Love Your Help! Display advertisement space is available at the following NOAH’s favorite cat in hopes of Kim Barker offers education- prices: $10 business card, $25.00 quarter page, $50.00 half page, and $100 full-page ad. helping others. al displays for your facility. Submission deadline for articles and advertisements is the 10th of even numbered months. Pictorials 41 Professional Membership Please submit high resolution photos and articles to the Journal 22 Your Best Shots 42 Third Quarter FCF Board of Managing Editor. Photos and arti- Dana Heisler, Willa Kildsig, Directors Meeting Minutes cles may be emailed to Laura Walker, Laura Remenar, Susan Steffens, Craig DeRosa, [email protected], or Chris Berry, Lainie Guidry. 42 Donations send by postal service to: 141 Polk 664, Mena, AR 71953.

Copyright © 2013 Feline Conservation Federation. All rights reserved. Some material is reprinted with permission of other copyright holders.

3 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 Letter from the President The third quarter FCF Board of Direc- process underwent tors meeting concluded and I am happy to revision by the board. introduce our two new members of the The committee has FCF Feline Facility Accreditation Board, been streamlined to filling vacancies created by the resigna- just three members, tion of Brian Werner and Doc Antle last and the application summer. While accreditation has yet to has a few more ques- receive the level of member participation tions that will enable hoped for, the program was verbally sup- the committee mem- ported by the members during the Con- bers to vote with vention general membership meeting. more information. The board has now filled the empty seats Professional member- and will focus on making accreditation ship is something all meet the needs of our feline facilities. USDA-licensed The Accreditation Board appointees are members should members will log in to the members-only Christa Donofrio and Rebecca Krebs. strive for. Admittedly, the program tem- website and apply for this level of mem- Both of these ladies offer new experience porarily fell by the wayside, but, with a bership. Finally, I wish to welcome the to the accreditation committee and I am full committee appointed, I expect the latest FCF Professionals; Kathrin Stucki, confident they will contribute much to its backlog of professional applications to be Julia Wagner, and Julie Walker. Congrat- success. processed shortly and hope that more ulations, ladies. Christa has worked at both Carnivore Preservation Trust and Conservators’ Cen- ter in cage construction and design for species ranging from kinkajou to jaguar. Her main employment has been in the pharmaceutical industry, where she is a supervisor and troubleshooter. Christa is a long time FCF member and a graduate of both Husbandry and Wildlife Educators courses. Rebecca is a knowledgeable animal caretaker with plenty of zoological experi- ence and a strong history of animal hus- bandry, including Bengal tiger, snow leop- ard, clouded leopard, serval, and mountain lion. She has veterinary technician expe- rience and has worked at three zoos, where she gained experience with exhib- it/habitat maintenance, construction, and repair. Rebecca has designed exhibit modifications including animal shift areas, animal denning areas, and formulated ways to place animals at the forefront of exhibits that appeal to visual esthetics. Rebecca is presently employed at the American Eagle Foundation in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where she is the assis- tant curator of birds. I would also like the members to wel- come our newest member of the Profes- sional Membership Review Committee, Shelleen Mathews. Shelleen operates the Wild Feline Advocacy Center, a mostly small cat species sanctuary in the state of Washington. She is a long time feline owner, having served this organization decades ago when it operated under the LIOC name. The professional membership review

4 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 From the Executive Director By Lynn Culver to lay blame, and irreparable damage to a ily on hands-on husbandry and bonds of facility’s reputation. Wildcat Haven will love and trust, but these can fail us, and 2013 has been a bad year for safety in be known forever as the facility where we must not become complacent. the feline community. News has spread pumas killed someone. Many facilities have great relationships that a puma, or pair of pumas, attacked Just this spring, an experienced intern at with adult big cats and seem to have no and killed an experienced employee at Cat Haven, in California, was killed by a fear of being attacked. They are even Wildcat Haven Sanctuary in Oregon. male African lion. She entered the large referred to as “friends” by the facilities. Founded by former FCF members, Cheryl exercise area when the connecting slide Captivity removes the need to hunt and and Mike Tuller, the facility once helped gate to the lockdown cage was open at the kill and enables the intelligence of big cat others by hosting an FCF Feline Hus- time. A momentary lapse in attentiveness predators to focus on other activities, like bandry Course. But Cheryl evolved into led her to enter an area that was not developing relationships and communicat- one of the sanctuaries which believe wild secured and she paid with her life. ing with other species. The FCF Journal cats do not need to be bred and maintained In midsummer, an employee of the often publishes photos of experienced in captivity. The Tullers joined with other Exotic Feline Rescue Center made this keepers interacting with adult big cats. extremists in the HSUS community and same mistake and entered a habitat where These images capture our hearts by paint- became a Global Federation of Animal tigers were not secured. She barely ing a picture of love and trust between Sanctuaries-accredited facility. This orga- escaped with her life, thanks in large part species. It is what we strive for, but it is nization is working hard to make it impos- to well-rehearsed contingency plans and a not easy to come by. It is by no means sible to breed, exhibit, or allow public fast response from the facility staff. guaranteed. It takes a special animal and contact with wildcats by lobbying Con- One day we are happy and minding our knowledgeable, dedicated staff to reach gress, pursuing state legislation, and peti- own business, the next day we are facing this kind of understanding. In the FCF tioning USDA to enact new restrictive the aftermath of another deadly situation. membership, we definitely have profes- regulations. The main argument behind Safety has to always be number one in our sionals who have reached this point. And these efforts is public safety and it is minds. The feline community relies heav- FCF members will have an incredible incredibly ironic that the opportunity to learn more latest death should occur about how to reach this at one of these GFAS- stage of understanding and accredited facilities. see such relationships at The cat keeper killed on our January Wildcat Week- the Tuller’s property was end at Big Cat Habitat and apparently working alone Gulf Coast Sanctuary in that day. Initial reports Sarasota, Florida. (Read indicate that at least one more starting on page 10.) puma was in the exercise FCF instructors will be area with her. It has not teaching basic husbandry been reported whether she and wildlife conservation had a special relationship and how to exhibit animals with this cat and believed in public venues. Also, in it was safe to enter with it, June, the FCF Convention or if it was another case of in Scottsdale, Arizona, inattentiveness that led her includes a day at Out of to believe the area was Africa Park, where keepers empty and the pumas were are encouraged to build confined. The Tullers close relationships with the were gone for the day, vis- animals so that swimming iting their new 80 acres of and playing can be demon- donated land that was to strated for the audience. be the expansion site for Park founder Dean Harri- the sanctuary, creating son has written an interest- more room to take in more ing account of animal confiscated and relin- behavior and how to build quished cats. these kinds of timeless This is indeed a sad day relationships starting on for the feline community. page 6 of this Journal. Anytime something like this happens, one can expect lawsuits to follow, government investigations

5 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 Out Of Africa Wildlife Park’s Orientation Regarding Our Captive Animals By Dean Harrison 3. Protection. 4. Play/hunting. Because we live 5. Chase. together, our primary 6. To take advantage. emphasis is on behavior; 7. Holding and biting. both of the animals and 8. Exploration and ours. In order to preserve adventure. them, we must under- 9. Courting. stand them. They have There are also assisting, needs that must be met in supportive instincts, which order for them to be ful- are often specific to certain filled as individuals. If species, such as swimming, they are not met, frustra- flying, digging, scenting, tion, fear, and boredom catatonic positions, hunting, give way to psychologi- killing, and many more. cal escapism. They want The primary instincts are to be free; free to eat, multifaceted and contain both roam, choose a territory, offensive and defensive choose a mate or com- behaviors, designed to extend panion, free to explore the quality of life of the and investigate, using all species (and sometimes their senses. And in all group), which, of course, per- this they wish to make Akasha, a female Bengal tiger, with Dean and Prayeri Harri- petuates the species. their own decisions con- son. Photo by Prayeri Harrison. The second general compo- cerning their own lives nent is intellect; the capacity on a moment-by-moment to consider alternatives, to basis. To the extent that we can accom- animals are breeds, not species. Tigers, weigh consequences, and to make a choice modate their quest and purpose in life, we elephants, and gorillas are species, in or decision. This process, which is cen- can cohabitate with them. To be a team, which man had no part in their making, tered in the conscious mind, is something we must view life not only from our point and they have a natural geographical place of a buffer zone; it cushions what the of view, as humans, but from the animal’s of origin on the planet. instincts would otherwise do. It keeps a point of view. We have the ability to The instinctual aspect of animal behav- leopard from attacking a lion, it cautions a adjust to them, so we must see from their ior consists of a series of automatic incli- zebra to be alert around a water hole, and eyes, too. We must learn to communicate, nations to behave toward a specific goal, it allows a tiger to consider not eating us, which is the beginning of any interperson- and it emanates from the subconscious its friends, who love and care for him. al relationship. mind. It is the dangerous part of the ani- Intellect is the balance in which life and In order to form this timeless relation- mal, the part that we generally think of as death are weighed in the kingdom of ani- ship, we must determine why they do “unpredictable.” But this is not necessari- mals. It perceives its influences in sight, what they do as individual living beings. ly so. The instincts, which are genetic sounds, touch, smell, taste, telepathy, During almost 50 years of research, cer- feelings, are in order of importance to the imagination, instincts, preferences, and tain identifiable variables of motivation animal’s survival and they can be referred memory, both present and inherited. The have emerged. Animal behavior is moti- to as primary instincts, needs, or goals. higher the life form, the greater the intel- vated through three general capacities: They are: lectual capacity. That is, if one’s success- instinct, intellect, and feelings. Instinct, 1. Self-preservation. ful behavior is more influenced by choice which is an unlearned orientation to 2. Acquisition of food/water. of consequences, the more one is acting behave toward the goal of survival, is 3. Territory. intelligently. If one’s primary concern is related to the actual design of the animal 4. Marriage and family relations (not focused on personal safety, starvation, or itself. The tiger is a tiger due to its to be alone, but to be part of something shelter from a harsh environment, then a instinctual, physiological, and inherited greater than oneself). more instinctual behavior is seen. genetic make-up as a predator. Instincts These primary instincts are supported Intellect allows us to balance between cannot be removed from the tiger while by nine secondary instincts (manifested fear and love, between a perceived unsafe the tiger is alive. If there is no life, there behavior), which are the automatic proce- state and a state of acceptance and worth. is no instinct; it is dead. Therefore, a tiger dures to reach one or more of the four nat- The only weapon against fear is love, is not a pet, it is not fully tamable, nor is it ural goals of physical life. They are: which brings us to the third general com- able to be domesticated, as we think of in 1. Seasonal change. ponent of behavior – feelings. Feelings terms of a dog, horse, cow, or pig. These 2. Possession. are likes and dislikes, both physical and

6 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 may be caught and killed for his inso- lence. When a tiger is eating a deer he has just killed and another, smaller tiger acciden- tally chances upon the more powerful creature, the offender turns his eyes away and exhibits submissive behavior, so the stronger animal will not be offended to the point of attack. The dead deer has sur- vival value and where there is value, there is also protection, and where there is pro- tection, there is also the law – the survival principles that give remedy to the immedi- ate problems. The situation is based on fear to a greater or lesser degree, affecting one or more of the four primary instincts – self-preservation, food, territory, or mar- riage and family relations, which trigger both offensively and defensively. There are many principles of survival, but they all point behavior toward one goal – respect. Respect is the essential Tundra wolves pose with Dean Harrison. Photo by Kathleen Reeder. concept between any two life forms. psychological. They are preferences as we have agreed to drive our cars in a Respect is the demonstration of the mix- based on experiences and life forms or particular way so we do not run into each ture of love and fear that keeps one from body types. They are emotions about any- other, so, too, animals must learn lesser taking advantage of another. It is a stan- thing perceived in the environment offensive ways of acting so they will not dard that our morality is based upon and viewed from a position of peace. Envi- offend others and perhaps lose a life the foundation for all interpersonal con- ronmental feelings are learned and are unnecessarily. A cheetah who claims his tact. It is also the mortar between the changeable if new information is allowed established and well-marked territory over bricks of a relationship and a need we all to be considered to form a fresh conclu- an incoming lion pride is behaving within desire for personal achievement and ful- sion. Feelings learned first in life are a low probability of survival success. He fillment. Respect is the evidence of more difficult to change worth. In endothermic and, like all emotions, animals, it frequently require conscious thought couples with the sec- and a decision to alter ondary instinct of play, behavior. Peaceful feel- that fun, flexible behavior ings make peaceful that favors oneness. behavior and vice versa. These are the factors As they say, “attitude is affecting animal behavior. everything.” They are inherited and So these are the three designed; complicated, general components of yet simple. They are animal behavior – organized and prioritized, instinct, intellect and and they are as real as the feelings. In order for ani- laws of physics. They are mals to coexist in large the cords of life. This is numbers, both with their the Out of Africa way, own kind and with oth- which focuses on a sin- ers, a system of laws gle-goal oneness. In this must be established so way, we all have free they do not just kill one choice to live our passion, another upon each to be who we really are, chance meeting. These and to do it together. laws can be referred to as Additional, more detailed “long-term survival prin- information can be ciples.” They are traffic obtained in the book laws and they are tied to Return to Eden. dangerous instincts. Just Akasha the Bengal tiger is a very special lady, afforded much trust by Dean. Photo by Prayeri Harrison.

7 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 A Few of Our Favorite Cats By Robert & Sandralee Hohn

The lion in the first picture was one of my two favorite big cats, from when vol- unteering at the Asheville Game Park in 1998. This was prior to our learning of the FCF. The lion’s name was Mufasa and his story is a sad, but loving one. He was such a gentle giant; when it came time for feeding, you would have to put the chicken in his mouth because, if it hit the ground, he would not eat it. But the tiger, named Tigger, which shared the same enclosure with Mufasa, would love if it dropped, because that was more food for her. I had grown to love these big cats, but sadly one day I arrived to find that they and others I knew and loved were leaving the park. Shadow, a black leopard, Viper, a spotted leopard, and Cali, the white tiger, now live under the capable hands of an FCF member who truly loves them and has provided them a wonderful environ- Robert met this gentle giant, Mufasa, when he lived at the Ashville Game ment for them to live in. I visit them from Farm. time to time and they still remember me. It is an awesome feeling. As for Mufasa and Tigger, well, that is setting them loose, and then shot himself. Even though I worked with big cats, when not such a good ending. About a year This is the infamous incident in my husband and I decided to get our state after they left the park, I went to visit Zanesville, Ohio. I mourn their death, but and federal licenses for cats, we knew that them in their new home in Ohio, and it have a strange sense of peace for them, we were much better prepared for small was not grand. When I talked to Muffy, because where they were was a hell com- cats. Our first baby was Sebastian, our which was my nickname for him, he cried pared to the beautiful place they originally bobcat. When he was a baby, we got and so did I. Both he and Tigger are gone lived. along wonderfully. I have many pictures now, having been shot by the police. The Most animal lovers have the best inter- of us together and I am grateful for that, owner lost his mind, opened the cage est at heart for the animals they love and because when Sebastian matured, he only doors to his big cats and bears and wolves, know how many they can properly care had eyes for Robert. I have learned for. Then you have through the years to give Sebastian his others who are not space. I keep my distance and love him rational and they from afar. Our second most loving cat make a bad name for was my Jana. She was a Geoffroy's cat. I all of us who do such got to love, cherish, and play with her, and good with our cats. she also traveled to schools and area

Join the Zoological Association of America

Several levels of membership include commercial, educational, facility, and individual. Facility Accreditation is also available.

promoting the P.O. Box 511275 responsible ownership, Punta Gorda, FL 33951 management, and propagation 941-621-2021 of animals in both info@zaaorg Robert’s first exotic cat was Sebastian, a bobcat. private and public domains www.zaa.org

8 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013

Cali the white tiger cub is leashed up Sandralee and her second Geoffroy’s cat, Giana, had a special bond prior for a walk with Sandralee. to Giana’s maturation. there are some we consider family. events and allowed me to show her to Robert and I are so grateful to be a part We have a business called Paradise children and educate them about her. I of such a wonderful organization as the Conservation Center, and we go to schools had her for a little over year. She passed FCF. We have had some of the most and teach children about the conservation away far too young and took half of my rewarding opportunities, such as the of animals; not just the cats, but all ani- heart with her. She was so sweet and incredible chance to hold the clouded mals. It is so vital that they learn about loveable. I remember that the first time I leopard babies at the last Convention and wildlife and the habitats they need and ever saw a Geoffroy’s cat was when we to go to all the different zoos and private how we can protect them and their envi- were at the FCF Convention in Dallas, facilities featured and have experiences ronment. They are, after all, the next gen- Texas. This little tiny thing took a chick- beyond our wildest dreams. The people in eration to take over where we leave off. en neck out of the mouth of baby cougar. the FCF have become not just friends, but That is when I told my husband I wanted a Geoffroy’s cat. It took me three years to HAVE YOUR MORNING COFFEE WITH THE FCF! get Jana and I wish I could have had many more years with her. The FCF is proud to offer FCF logo coffee mugs. These high After Jana passed, my husband thought it would be a good idea for us to get gloss, black, 11-ounce mugs are listed on our FCF website another Geoffroy’s cat. I did not want store and can be another one, because no other Geoffroy’s purchased for only could take my baby’s place. After a cou- $5.00 each with ple of months, though, he talked me into $5.00 shipping and getting another Geoffroy’s cat. We handling to U.S. brought her home and named her Giana, and she loved me until she matured. Now addresses. You can my husband has two cats and I love them also use the Mem- both from afar. Whenever I get close to bership form/Prod- her, she freaks out. I tried to have a rela- uct order form tionship with her, but she wants no part of included in this it. Like Sebastian, Giana acts like a regu- Journal issue. FCF lar house cat, all lovey and cuddly with coffee mug profits Robert, purring and head butting, and if it sounds like I am jealous, it is because I benefit the Wildcat am! Safety Net Fund.

9 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 Wildcat Weekend in Sunny Sarasota, Florida! The FCF is holding another WILDCAT WEEKEND! This means you have another opportunity to gather with other people interested in owning, or working with exotic felines, or wanti- ng to improve their quality of care and conservation. It’s fun! It’s in the sun! And it’s scheduled for Friday, January 10, through Sunday, January 12, 2014, and it’s happening at Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida.

Attend the FCF Basic Exotic/Wild Feline Husbandry Course Friday, January 10, from 8:00am to 6:00pm. Take a specially designed guided tour of Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary Saturday at 12:30pm. Attend the Wildlife Conservation Educator’s Course Sunday, January 12, from 8:00am to 6:00pm.

Registration fee for either course is $125 FCF members, $160 non-members. Saturday’s special guided tour fee is $15. Register for both classes and your Saturday tour is free! Use the registration form included in this Journal, or register online and pay with PayPal. Visit the Upcoming Events page of the FCF website. Lodging: Stay just 2 miles away at the AmericInn, 5931 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34232. Travelocity has a monster sale right now – pay only $76 per night. Or save even more by combining your flight with AmericInn Hotel reservations. Check it out!

BASIC EXOTIC/WILD FELINE HUSBANDRY COURSE – This instruction helps attendees provide better quality of life for their animals while also making them aware of larger issues in the feline ownership world. The Husbandry Course includes an introduction to all the species of wild cats, and specifically covers nutrition, health care, habitat construction and enrichment, laws and regulatory agencies, contingency planning, behavior conditioning and much more. The recently updated student textbook includes demonstrative photos and notes to provide reference for years to come. A special feature of this year’s event will be a one hour, live animal show at 2:00 pm. Watch as a variety of felines are given a daily train- ing class that uses positive reinforcement to shape natural behaviors. See firsthand how professionals handle and work around big cats. Students receive a textbook, test, and certificate of completion. Lunch is provided.

BIG CAT HABITAT and GULF COAST SANCTUARY On Saturday, you can recharge from the prior day of course work by returning to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary for a very special guided tour of the facility, which houses lions, tigers, and ligers, as well as bears, chimpanzees, birds, and other animals. Attend another training demonstration. Kay Rosaire will give us special treatment as she points out how this facility operates, with special emphasis on topics taught and practices learned in the husbandry course. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EDUCATOR’S COURSE - A “how to” course that covers all the basics of develop- ing a safe, informative, entertaining, and successful wildlife conservation presentation. You will also learn how to manage different types of audiences and how to speak and act professionally. And, of course, the class covers federal licensing required and how to choose and train animals for outreach ambassador rolls. Already working as an educator at a zoo, sanctuary, or nature center? Let the FCF help you stand out and be more valuable to your employer by showing you cre- ative ways to present wildlife programs. Attend a one- hour feline training show put on by a professional ani- mal trainer. This is a unique opportunity to actually see how professionals shape desired behaviors and condi- tion and ready animals for public display. Students receive a textbook, test, and certificate of completion. Lunch is provided. 10 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 Big Cat Habitat Kay Rosaire is an eighth generation praise, and treats to encourage natural animal trainer from one of England’s behaviors on cue and in a sequence of most respected families of animal the trainer’s choice. The Rosaires’ trainers. The Rosaire family is known special relationships with the animals worldwide for their gifted animal make every training demonstration training ability, for their work within thrilling to watch. the entertainment and film industry, During Wildcat Weekend, students and as animal educators who use of the FCF Basic Wild/Exotic Feline “Positive Reinforcement Training.” Husbandry Course and the Wildlife The Rosaires are among the founders Conservation Educators Course will of this kinder, gentler style of animal break from the studies to watch these training which has only in recent amazing demonstrations and take years become popular. Their unique away a fresh perspective on unique and remarkable relationship with ani- husbandry styles and listen as profes- mals demonstrates that the strongest sionals deliver conservation messag- bonds between humans and animals Providing room to run is important for the ing in an unforgettable manner. are based on kindness and compas- tiger’s well-being. Photo by Richard Zina. The FCF Wildcat Weekend is Fri- sion. day, January 10th, through Sunday, During Kay's teenage years, she had the for wildlife and an amazing educational January 12th, at the Big Cat Habitat. We good fortune of working at the Erie Zoo in sanctuary that is one of the Sarasota area's will assemble in the area to teach courses Erie, Pennsylvania, at which time Derrick top ten family attractions. Friday and Sunday and everyone is invit- Rosaire, Sr. (her world-renowned animal The Habitat boasts three large ed to return Saturday at 12:30 for an after- training father) was curator. This afforded indoor/outdoor housing complexes with noon tour of the facility and to watch a Kay a unique opportunity to work with a adjoining exercise habitats with expansion training demonstration. This promises to vast array of exotic and domestic animal projects ongoing. Each habitat has a be one of the most interesting instruction species as the family presented a zoo swimming pool, toys, and palm trees to sites and a tremendous opportunity to ask show featuring a wide variety of animals provide the emotional enrichment that questions and learn from highly experi- including chimpanzees, horses, llamas, maintains optimal mental and physical enced animal trainers and conservation- elephants, and more. health. Big Cat Habitat is a perfect loca- ists. Be sure to sign up online at the FCF In working closely with these animals, tion for students to tour and see proper website under “Upcoming Events,” or call Kay soon discovered her particular love enclosure designs and construction, as FCF Treasurer Lynn Culver to use your for and training talent with big cats. In well as enrichments and safety protocol. credit card. FCF Basic Wild/Exotic the 1980s, Kay started taking in exotic big In the family's tradition, Kay's son Feline Husbandry Course is $125. FCF cats that for a variety of reasons needed to Clayton Rosaire is not just an amazing big Wildlife Conservation Educators Course be re-homed. As the number of needy cat trainer, but his training demonstrations is $125. Saturday guided tour of Big Cat animals increased, it eventually led to her delight, enlighten, and entertain his audi- Habitat is $15. Sign up for both courses becoming the president and founder of ences. Kay and her son Clayton use posi- and your Saturday tour is free! Sarasota's “Big Cat Habitat and Gulf tive reinforcement techniques based on Coast Sanctuary,” a safe, permanent home gentle handling,

Clayton Rosaire directs a tiger jumping demonstration Brutus, the 900-pound liger, enjoys a pool and expan- for the audience. Photo by Richard Zina. sive habitat to roam. Photo by Richard Zina.

11 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 Jasmine and Sebastian Get Ready for Halloween! By Jennifer Kasserman Geoffroy's are born blind, only weighing a few The ever cautious and curious Geof- ounces, and do not get too froy's duo take time to do their pumpkins. much bigger, it seems, What better than a snack that you can hide compared to the other in? Not the stereotypical all black cat for exotic cats. When fully this holiday. Instead, the Geoffroy's not mature, they still only only love to play with, get in and eat the weigh somewhere between pumpkin, they also exhibit a beautiful coat four and 11 pounds. This with black spots and a variety of fall col- makes them among the ors that varies with the region. Some of smallest of wildcats and them, like Jasmine, have the melanistic about the same size, if not gene. This causes her to have an all-black still smaller than a domes- nose instead of the usual red. tic cat. Jasmine weighs Jasmine and Sebastian are a year and 3.5 pounds, while Sebast- half old now and are rarely more than a ian now weighs just under few feet apart. They enjoy the comfort of six pounds. They are three different areas. They have their own about seven weeks apart in large indoor room with all the comforts, of age. course, and then some. When nighttime The Geoffroy’s cat has comes, their nocturnal clocks kick in, but large, rounded ears, which they still take time to cuddle in the bed- is one quality that helps room and then engage in a nightlong tacti- them to be able to endure cal dance. This includes using all four temperatures varying from corners of the room with lots of slow extreme heat to cold. maneuvering and quick, stealthy pounces. Their ears also display the They just recently got their third space; a white “eye spot” we see fully-enclosed deck 14 feet off the ground on many animals used to Sebastian climbs inside the jack-o-lantern and and right off the master bedroom, which help ward off predators, takes a whiff of the pumpkin. was built and designed just for them. although, in their natural regions, the Geoffroy’s biggest threat these days is habitat invasion. They are extremely talented climbers and swim- mers. They can climb up steep heights in high altitudes and even swim across large rivers; not to mention that they can end up on the top of my refrigerator and even some times door jambs in the hallway as they are, for some reason, trying to reach the ceiling. It was a huge joy getting the pumpkins ready with these two. Knowing, of course, there would be many delays in fin- ishing this project. Their playful curiosity made for a night of comedy and "Oh, how cute is that?" This actually happens daily with just their regular routine. They are high energy and play hard. But they also like to calm down for a sweet snuggle, typically followed by lots of purring and head bumps to show their affection. Now we will be looking forward to getting ready for Thanksgiving with a little help from Jasmine and Sebastian. Christmas, on the other hand, may be a different Jasmine examines the insides of the pumpkin. story.

12 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 European Wild Cat Adventure Photos and article by Fred Hood pond to retrieve a piece of meat. The As I write this, I am on a return flight other highlight for from overseas, having seen and pho- me is the fishing cat, tographed most of the world's cat species. which plays in a Did I spend weeks in jungle hides or at reed pond and walks safari camps to achieve my goal? No, I across a log. The stayed at comfortable hotels in the tourist group is going to centers of Western Europe. A two week walk right by the trip to Scotland, England, France, and exhibit on the way to Spain netted a wider variety of felines in another big cat when captivity than even the most intrepid I see the fishing cat adventurer could see in the wild in a life- and convince our time. guides to make a My trip begins with two days in Scot- detour. We continue land. The first day is spent at Highland with big cats, includ- Wildlife Park, a sister facility of the Edin- ing one of only three burgh Zoo. Since part of the park is a pure (non-hybrid) Scottish Wildcat at Scotland’s Highland Park. drive-through, I have a one day car rental Indian tigers in for my first experience driving on the left- Europe. hand side of the road (thankfully no acci- Wildlife Her- dents). The park is in the Scottish High- itage Foundation lands and specializes in wildlife from is in the country- northern latitudes. My main interest is the side near Ash- Scottish wildcat (Felis silvestris grampia), ford, which has a although the park also has an excellent rail station for hillside exhibit for the Pallas’s cat and a the Eurostar train large forested exhibit for the Amur tiger. to Paris. So I The wildcat exhibits are connected by a catch the evening unique skywalk system - an intriguing train for a night concept that some FCF members may in the City of want to incorporate into their small cat Lights and head habitats. to my next desti- My second day in Scotland is at the nation the fol- century-old Edinburgh Zoo. Most of the lowing morning. big cat exhibits are small and outdated, When I was Elevated skywalks enable the small cats of Highland Park but I am here for a small cat: the Asian planning this trip, to move from one enclosure space to another. golden cat. There are three at the zoo and my original each has its own enclosure. The male is thought was to the easiest to see, but is in the least photo- get a direct train from genic exhibit. Through perseverance, I Paris to Zurich to spend manage to get some good shots of the two a couple days at Zoo females in their densely planted exhibits. Zurich. The zoo has a I also get excellent photos of a Scottish large, rocky hillside wildcat whose parents are at the afore- habitat for snow leop- mentioned Highland Wildlife Park. ards. This exhibit far Next, I am off to the south of England exceeds any here in the for a group photo workshop at Wildlife states and may be the Heritage Foundation. This private big cat best in the world (or at breeding center is run by the public Par- least ties for best with adise Wildlife Park. Visitors to WHF Kolmarden in Sweden). must book a guided tour in advance. Our Just a couple of days photo tour, which is pricier than a regular before I book my train tour, involves two staff members taking us ticket, however, I beyond the barriers and right up against receive breaking news Asiatic Golden cat at the Edenburg Zoo, sister zoo the fence. A highlight is the pumas, one that makes me replace to Highland Park. of which repeatedly jumps across a small Switzerland with Spain.

13 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013

Zoo Jerez has the only public exhibit for the highly endangered Iberian lynx.

length of the exhibit, but the bot- From Spain, I return to France for three tom half is covered. Only by and a half days at my favorite zoological standing on the low log barrier on park on the planet: Le Parc Des Félins. I tiptoes can I see through the reported extensively on this park in the unobstructed portion of the fenc- November/December 2011 FCF Journal. ing for photos. In the afternoon, I am happy to find some new additions Cougar exhibit at Wildlife Heritage Founda- two other photographers show up since my last visit two and a half years tion. and blatantly ignore the barriers ago. The nicest surprise is a two month to go right up against the glass old Asian golden cat. Talk about cute! and fence. I do not condone their Also, the park extended the path so that That news is that Zoobotanico Jerez is behavior, but I understand their frustra- now they have three golden cat exhibits about to open the only public exhibit for tion. Why does the zoo make its signature instead of one. There also appears to be a Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). As reported exhibit so difficult to see? fourth one behind these, presumably for in the May/June 2012 FCF Journal, I actually have seen an Iberian lynx in the wild. The resulting photo, however, is a motion blur image taken before dawn with a flashlight. In hopes of getting a clear photo, I book a two-hour flight from Paris Orly to Sevilla, one of my all-time favorite cities. I spend three nights there and do a day trip to Jerez de la Frontera, which is only one hour by train and then 45 minutes by city bus to the zoo gate. I go to Jerez on a Monday, but have to return on Tuesday, because I find out when I get there the zoo is closed on Mon- days! The new lynx exhibit is nice, which is more than I can say for the rest of the zoo. Overall, the quality is very poor and most exhibits are severely outdated. I do get several good lynx photos, but only because I am tall. The two glass viewing areas have so much glare that they are impossible to see through, and a rope bar- rier prevents guests from going right up to Le Parc Des Felins in France has some of the best exhibits anywhere. the glass. Black metal fencing runs the Lovely Eurasian lynx stroles amongst yellow wildflowers.

14 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 breeding. Golden cats are no longer found in the United States, but signage here indicates the park actively maintains two distinct subspecies (Pardofelis tem- minckii temmincki and P.t. tristis). Also new to the park are Asian lions. The park already has three massive field exhibits for three varieties of African lion: Angolan, East African, and white South African. They have been unable to obtain Asian lions previously, however, due to the policy of the EAZA (European equiva- lent of AZA). In order to prevent hybridization, the EAZA forbids its mem- bers from housing both African and Asian lions at the same facility. I presume Le Parc Des Félins received an exemption due to their excellent track record and expertise with wild cats. The Asian lions are in the former white tiger habitat, which is in a separate area of the park from the three African lion habitats. The white tigers have their own new exhibit, which is the park's largest - over seven Le Parc Des Felins indoor sand cat complex houses six separate enclo- acres! sures and is one of the best exhibit and breeding centers anywhere. The final new development since my last visit is a sand cat complex. The two set at least twenty feet back from the ing and the adjacent fence is close enough older, outdoor exhibits are still there, but guardrail, making photos impossible. One to the guardrail for photographs. On they connect to an amazing new indoor area labeled “small cats” on the map has future trips, however, I will skip Howlett's area. Visitors stand in the middle of a been demolished and replaced with an and return to Port Lympne. glass rotunda surrounded on almost every obstacle course! The day is saved, how- Western Europe is unique in having so side by a series of six enclosures. Thin ever, when I happen upon the fishing cat many outstanding cat facilities in close wire separates each enclosure and doors at exhibit just as keepers are feeding them. proximity. The purpose of my trip was the back can be opened or closed to con- This exhibit has a nice window for view- twofold. One is to expand my portfolio of nect them. The roof is wild cat photos (which reminiscent of a green- you can view online at house and can be FelidFoto.com). The opened in nice weather. other was to investigate This has got to be the facilities for a wild cat best sand cat exhibit photo tour I hope to and breeding center organize. Based on my anywhere! research, I think the My final destination group tour will include is Howlett's Wild Ani- Heritage Wildlife Foun- mal Park in England. dation, Port Lympne, Le This is the late John Parc Des Félins (two or Aspinall's original park three days), and proba- and he later opened a bly Zoo Zurich. I will much larger park near- place an ad in this Jour- by known as Port nal if the trip is a go, but Lympne. Together they I am tentatively looking have an excellent small at spring and fall 2014. cat collection and, since If anyone wants infor- my two previous visits mation sooner, you can to England focused on email me at Port Lympne, I decided [email protected]. to try Howlett's this time. I find it rather They don’t call them fishing cats for nothing! Fred photographed at disappointing, with feeding time at Howlett’s Wild Animal Park . most of the cat exhibits

15 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 Late Summer Trauma & Panic By Doug Kildsig made an emergency visit, but the diagno- It was not three months after returning sis was inconclusive from the FCF Convention in Nashville, on anemia or toxici- when trauma and panic hit the Kildsig ty due to insecti- household! My beloved lady bobcat, cides. IMOS never IMOS, was facing very serious health had loose stools or deterioration that could possibly result in vomited during this death! entire event, but she I am writing this article in hopes that it was definitely can remind each of us how the health of VERY, VERY ill and our animals can change VERY rapidly, was very unrespon- and for no apparent reason. My cat has sive to food or water, been incredibly healthy and energetic her or even any interac- entire 12 years of life, and now things had tion. Her primary changed dramatically for the worse. veterinarian, Dr. It was the first week of September, Kevin Kennedy, of when we noticed a serious problem with Hillside Veterinary fleas in the home, and one of our domestic Clinic, Lamar, IN, IMOS had everyone worried with her lackluster cats seemed to be struggling with them. had indicated he appetite and lazy disposition. But thankfully her Within a week’s time, I had sourced some thought she could hunger and energy have rebounded. over-the-counter flea insecticides to begin have become anemic using throughout the residence, to include from flea bites and may even need a blood sight of your beloved pet under sedation is IMOS’s enclosure system. At this point, transfusion, which would be very difficult anxiety-provoking; at least it is for me! no notice was made of a change in to obtain. My mind was racing and I went Nevertheless, as Lynn Culver and Dr. IMOS’s mood, appetite, or disposition. In into action as best I could, praying that my Kennedy requested, a blood sample was advance of beginning insecticide treat- steps would be guided with wisdom and essential as we worked toward a diagnosis ments, I had noticed a slight mood shift in determination. Thank God, I reached out and to determine if, indeed, she was in an IMOS, but not significant. Her appetite to Lynn Culver, who has been a godsend anemic condition. was still fantastic, as is typical in the fall through this entire ordeal. Lynn selflessly The same day as the site visit, Septem- season. By September 18, the flea prob- dedicated her time and expertise to coach ber 17, I removed all furniture and carpet lem had become severe, so I began to treat me through the difficult decisions and from her inside enclosure area, all while with over-the-counter insecticides questions that needed to be addressed dur- she simply lay with her eyes shut on a throughout the home and enclosure sys- ing the diagnosis. Lynn provided incredi- chair outside. I was devastated that my tem on September 20. By September 24, I ble compassion and understanding, plus cat that was ALWAYS so full of energy noticed a significant shift in IMOS’ mood, veterinary experience to offer a second and interested had been reduced to an ani- as if she was becoming disinterested or opinion. Was it a virus, bacteria, an infec- mal that was completely unresponsive, not sluggish in her mood and behavior, but tion, intestinal worms, anemia brought on eating or drinking, and uninterested in her appetite was still good. On September by flea bites, anemia brought on by poor every way. She was, indeed, at death’s 25, I hit the “panic button,” as IMOS’s kidney or liver function? All these ques- doorstep. This persisted and, on Septem- mood and disposition had dramatically tions remained to be answered, and I was ber 30, the majority of the data was back worsened, and she had started to limit her desperate for answers! The answers to from the first blood panel - negative for travels to only select portions of her these questions could not come soon FIA/hemobartonella, no sign of kidney or enclosure system and “nest” in a particu- enough, and my notes on these matters are liver function problems, and CBC indicat- lar spot in a manner that was completely numerous and vast! ed moderate to severe anemia. On Octo- out of the ordinary and unusual. Finally, on September 27, only two ber 2, with no improvement or diagnosis I called her primary vet immediately days from when IMOS really had a turn resulting from the first blood sample, Dr. and described to him as best as possible for the worse, Dr. Kevin Kennedy was Kevin Kennedy made a second house visit what had transpired. His initial diagnosis able to make the site visit for examination to take a second blood sample for further over the telephone was that IMOS may and a blood sample for analysis. Thank analysis, to beat the weekend with the lab have become severely anemic due to flea God that Dr. Kevin Kennedy is a decisive services! Just in case we needed it to con- bites! And his schedule would not allow a person who can make the hard decisions tinue to do diagnostics. Dr. Kennedy also visit until the next day, September 27! At and take immediate action with a blood provided an injected steroid and a this point, her condition had worsened to sample. That usually requires sedation, dewormer, at my insistence, and took a very little movement and activity, and her and I am not fond of having IMOS sedat- stool sample for analysis. food intake was virtually non-existent. I ed. She was sedated for emergency By October 3, the micropathy of the panicked and called another vet, who sutures only once before, and just the first blood sample was complete and also indicated no indication of FIA, and the

16 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 stool sample was negative for parasites. Bottom line, as I started this article say- apparent reason! I welcome your hopes Still no improvement in IMOS’s disposi- ing, the health of our animals can change and prayers that this story has a long-last- tion or condition at all. I decided to con- very rapidly and with no apparent reason, ing and happy ending and that IMOS’s sult with another local vet and he provided and it is incredibly important to have health and wellness continue on this dra- me Lactated Ringers solution and needles, ready access to professional veterinary matic and miraculous upward trend! just in case fluid delivery became neces- care and skilled, experienced personnel, Thanks! sary. He concurred with Dr. Kevin such as, in this case, Dr. Kevin Kennedy Kennedy; however, we had no positive and Lynn Culver, FCF Executive Director. Skilled Resources Listing: indication of a cause of IMOS’s difficul- Further capable resources to handle exotic ties. Dr. Kennedy also had sent Comfortis species would be the Purdue University Lynn Culver, FCF Executive Director, oral flea medication immediately on my School of Veterinary Medicine and the Breeder (bobcat, lynx, cougar, serval, first contact with him, and this was suc- University of Tennessee, in Knoxville, caracal, Geoffroy’s cat) cessfully administered on October 1. So, TN. I have not had to draw on either of 141 Polk Road 664 the home and the enclosure system were those organizations as of yet, but am pre- Mena, AR 71953 showing some improvement in flea disin- pared and aligned to do so if necessary. I 479-394-5235 festation, especially upon using Siphotrol, would also like to thank Joe Taft, [email protected] an aerosol product by Vet-Kem that Dr. owner/operator of the Exotic Feline Res- Kennedy provided. This product seems to cue Center in Brazil, IN, who was imme- Dr. Kevin Kennedy be highly effective with no toxicity risks. diately available to offer blood transfusion Hilltop Veterinary Services By October 5, the second blood panel was possibilities and additional skilled veteri- 13208 N State Road 245 primarily complete, with the exception of nary facilities and resources if necessary. Lamar, IN 47550 FIV/auto immune deficiency data, and I thank God for the resources of Lynn 812 544-2238 one of the samples indicated a concern for Culver, Dr. Kevin Kennedy, and Joe Taft http://www.myvetonline.com/HilltopVet/g a non-regenerative form of anemia. Dr. to help IMOS as I navigated these very eneral-information.html Kennedy recommended we immediately troubled waters, and I encourage each of begin an oral solution of Prednisone my readers to make sure they have these Joe Taft, Owner/Operator steroid and antibiotic (doxycycline), to types of quality and compassionate indi- Exotic Feline Rescue Center include a liquid vitamin supplement, and viduals available to their animal welfare 2221 E. Ashboro Road hope and pray for the best. The initial plans. Remember, the health of our ani- Center Point, IN 47840 treatment was the steroid for 30 days and mals can change very rapidly and with no (812) 835-1130 the vitamin for 14. Praise God that after two hours of treatment, IMOS’s disposi- tion, mood, and appetite picked up markedly! I gave her the first dose on Saturday, October 5, and by that evening, IMOS’s appetite was off the wall! By that Books - Feeding Supplies - Gifts evening, she ate an entire bag of roughly 60-70 raw shrimp! She maintained this initial dose from October 5 to October 10, upon which her progress and improvement in mood, dis- www.wxicof.com position, and appetite was so INCREDI- BLY dramatic that Dr. Kennedy suggested we half the dose for the next week, then discontinue use altogether. If at any time We Carry New In-Print & Hard-to-Find Out-Of-Print Books she digresses in any of these areas, I should re-administer accordingly. From √ Raising In Captivity √ In The Wild October 11-18, the half dose worked great and she continued to make good progress √ Husbandry √ Management in all areas; almost the same fickle cat that √ Identification Guides √ Reference Books I had grown to love the last 12 years! As of this writing, we are now on zero √ Encyclopedias √ Veterinary Manuals meds and her personality, mood, disposi- tion, and appetite have stayed incredibly strong and progressive. We started no 914 Riske Lane Coreen Eaton meds on October 19, so we only have two Wentzville, MO 63385 636-828-5100 days of observation, but I am very encour- aged, prayerful, and hopeful that IMOS is healed despite no diagnosis and minimal medical intervention!

17 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 Social Media Policy With increasing attention being worse by sharing your indiscretion with have made, and to share this experience focused on private wildlife owners, it is the world. If you have captured a photo with those around you. In order to be absolutely critical that we all strive to of somebody else inappropriately interact- safe, we do require that you take photos represent ourselves as well as possible. ing with an animal, we stress that you from four (4) feet away from the enclo- Social media is a tool and a weapon, so please share it with our staff so that we sure unless you are accompanied by an it is important that you proactively con- can address the behavior with the individ- approved photography blocker. There are trol your message. Below is a policy ual. We will do everything we can to only a few approved photography block- that can be adapted to your facility to ensure that we do not bring your name ers within the organization, so you must address some concerns that may arise into the situation and greatly appreciate check with staff about who can assist you with regard to social media during the your willingness to help us ensure every- if you would like photos taken closer to an normal course of business. If you one is abiding by our safety guidelines. animal’s enclosure. This rule is absolute, would like a copy of this Word docu- 2) Photos displaying certain types of regardless of how benign an animal ment to adapt into your own policy, appropriate contact with an animal, either seems. please send your request to edentran- by you or another. Depending on your [email protected]. role in the organization and the level of Videos - The same guidelines that apply training you have received, you may have to photos are also applicable to videos. This policy was developed by Julia Wagn- a hands-on relationship with some of our er at the Conservators' Center animal residents. While we understand Animal Deaths – The [facility name] is ([email protected]). that you are proud of this incredible proud to house such a large population of accomplishment, it is imperative that you animal residents, both young and old. Guidelines for Sharing Information: not post these photos. A layperson does With that responsibility, however, comes Facebook and Other Social Media not understand the extensive training you the unfortunate reality that our animals do have undergone to have that level of con- pass away, sometimes unexpectedly. Do As the [facility name] continues to tact. We do not want there to be any per- not post anything about an animal’s death grow and thrive, it is increasingly impor- ception that the general public (i.e., tour until after an official statement has been tant that the information that is provided groups) are permitted contact with our made by the [facility name]. There are to the general public be as accurate and residents. The only exception to this rule two main reasons for this: informative as possible. As volunteers, is when you are engaged in contact with a 1) Each of our residents has its own interns, and donors at the [facility name], trained education animal (Geoffroy’s cats, adopters, admirers, and caretakers. We do you have the privilege of seeing and hear- singing dogs, Chaussies). If you have a not want anyone close to an animal to ing our latest news as it happens. But, question about whether a particular animal have to hear about its death from anyone with this privilege comes substantial or interaction is appropriate, you may ask but our staff. Prior to making a public responsibility. Because you are not an our public relations personnel whether statement, we personally reach out to all official representative of the [facility you may post the photo. relevant individuals to discuss the loss and name], you are not positioned to make 3) Photos of butchered animals, bloody why it occurred. Only after we have done public statements about either the organi- clothing, or anything else that overtly this, do we publicly announce a death. zation or its animal residents. This is deals with the meat our animals are fed. It This is a hugely emotional issue for every- especially relevant with regard to social is one thing for the general public to have one, and we hope to lessen the grief a bit media. To help you avoid a misstep, we an understanding of the meat our animals by having a personal communication first. are issuing guidelines about what is not eat. It is quite another when they are con- 2) You are not privy to all of the details appropriate to share via social media or fronted with the graphic reality of a carni- of an animal’s health and death, therefore any other public outlet. vore’s diet. To prevent any confusion you are not positioned to comment on about our food supply and food prepara- either. Some of our animals have pre- Photographs – It is very exciting to be tion practices, we ask that you not post existing conditions that we are working to able to work at the [facility name], and photos as described previously. control. Others require a necropsy to during your time here you have undoubt- 4) Photos of injuries and photos taken determine cause of death. Regardless of edly amassed a library of unique pho- during ongoing emergencies. In the event the case, it is the responsibility of the tographs. Many are appropriate to share, of either situation, you should not be [facility name] to make a public statement but there may be some that are not. In focused on photographing, but instead about cause of death, not yours. order to help you, we have outlined what focused on how you can help. Further- is not appropriate to disseminate: more, taken out of context, your pho- Once a public statement has been issued, 1) Photos displaying inappropriate con- tographs could be incredibly damaging to we do encourage you to comment, post tact with an animal, either by you or the organization, even if that is not your photos, and celebrate the life of the animal another. If you are engaging in inappro- intent. who you too have loved. priate contact with an animal, then you are already out of bounds and subject to disci- We do encourage you to post photos of Animal Illness – Many of the same issues plinary action. Do not make matters the animals you care for, the friends you that are relevant to the death of an animal

18 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 are relevant to illness as well. We do not approved facility), we want that to be part not comment on anyone’s health status. want individuals close to an animal to of the birth announcement. Babies are Everyone deserves privacy. have to hear about a health concern from popular for lifetime adoption, and we do anyone but us, and you will not necessari- not want potential adopters to get excited Emergencies – In the event of an emer- ly be aware of all that is being done to only to find out that an animal who they gency, we ask that you please not com- help ensure that animal’s ongoing quality may be interested in will not be residing at ment until after a public statement has of life. That being said, you are always [facility name] after its weaning period. been issued. Even then, we will ask that welcome to talk to our staff about our resi- you please refrain from comment unless dents and their health statuses. As an Animal Injuries – While the social inter- you have been directed to do so. There invested member of this organization, it is action that grouping animals together are tremendous sensitivities in this field, appropriate for you to be kept apprised of brings is generally positive, conflict is an and while we trust everyone has the best an animal’s condition. inevitable occurrence. Do not post pho- intentions, your commentary may become tos/video of ongoing conflicts or of very damaging. Animal Births – Births are a joyous occa- injuries sustained by an animal. Please sion, however, for a number of reasons we alert staff immediately to either occur- In the end, we trust each of you to exer- may not want them to be immediately rence, and the situation will be addressed cise good judgment. If you are about to made public. A few of the key issues are: and appropriately handled. Images or post something and even have a moment 1) While we do everything we can to comments about conflicts and injuries can of doubt about whether it is appropriate, ensure that babies at the [facility name] be taken out of context and could unjustly than it may not be. If you have any live long, healthy lives, there is always the damage the reputation of [facility name]. doubts, please reach out to your supervi- risk that a birth may not end well and that sor or our communications team for guid- a stillbirth may occur or, that we may lose Human Injuries – It is not uncommon for ance. We greatly appreciate your under- a baby in infancy. We want to spare our staff or volunteers to experience minor standing and cooperation in this matter everyone the grief of being excited about construction injuries onsite (chainsaws, and are available should you have any babies only to find that they are no longer fencing, and trenchers are scary!). It is questions or concerns. As always, we with us. also probable that at an active animal truly value the critical role you play at 2) If we are not intending on keeping an facility, there will be accidents or injuries [facility name] and want to ensure your animal on our site (for instance, if a baby involving animals and people. Out of time here is enjoyable. is going to be placed on loan to an respect for your fellow workers, please do Business Cat-titude – Bringing Awareness to Your Facility By Jim Broaddus, ensures that help will be avail- Bear Creek Feline Center able throughout this process. Definition: A “Landing Page” Working with felines and being of the is a simple one-page website that latter generation, my techno skills are not has all that signature stuff in an up to speed with the ‘Facebook’ genera- easy graphic interface. Tim and tion. At the onset, I thought “tweeting” Tanis have a simple and afford- was something to get the cats’ attention. I able template that they use that will qualify as an OCTOGENARIAN in makes the project quick and less than a decade, and I do not have time painless. They did one for me for Encore studies, although I did check that has my name up at the top curricula offered at several community with the geographical location colleges. So what is the work around? printed underneath. I got them to Since BCFC budgets do not permit hiring put a big panther picture with our a specialist to organize our social profiles, logo under the banner and a sim- we gave the project to our “human ple “About the Center” text box resources” officer to come up with a fix. next to it. The website was up (LOL….there is no BCFC Human almost immediately. Resource Officer. It is just me!) Less I The package includes the pur- digress, our board, in all its wisdom, elect- chase of the domain name and ed its newest and youngest member. hosting for a year. The template Announcing Tanis Thomas, part of an includes a button for my email artist family. Son of Tim and Terri and three social buttons for Face- Thomas, the Three Ts. They do, among book, LinkedIn, and YouTube, other things, “Landing Pages.” I was respectively. The YouTube but- pleasantly surprised that, at 19 years of ton links to a video of the Feline age, Tanis was worthy of the task. His Center that was shot by a local The new Internet Landing Page for Jim dad, being his marketing consultant, TV station, but we plan to shoot a Broaddus and Bear Creek Feline Center.

19 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 15-30 second commercial later this month to update and replace it. These three but- tons can be exchanged for Twitter, Skype, or any other social media you desire. There is also a picture of me and one of my cats, my name and title, and a brief “About Me” statement. Stay with me now. Lastly, there are four link buttons at the bottom of the tem- plate. Two are taken with the web design- er’s logo that link to their site and the search engine registration button that allows free registration to over 300 search engines. Having these two on the page is why they can host the site so inexpensive- ly. The other two buttons are for the pur- chaser’s use. I linked the first to our offi- cial Center’s website and the other, of course, to the FCF. You could also have them link to a shopping cart, ticket site, or to download a brochure or event flier. Exhibit signs are part of a face lift for the BCFC that includes landscaping The domain name was part of the fee, as and grounds upgrades and new grand entrance signage. was the first year of hosting. Now I have two feet on the world wide Shoot on G+, Facebook, and Twitter. and web that link to each other and, instead of Within G+, I sent it (again) to your email • Landscaping and grounds that long line of text hanging unattractive- distribution list, so they can add your G+ upgrades for ambiance, safety, ly beneath my email signature, I have a BCFC page to their circles. Yesterday, I and security. clean “Contact Info” button that leads to added you to 150 directories which will We secured signage and went to work. my Landing Page; www.jimbroaddus.us. take up to 90 days to get populated. Now, We are landscaping, clearing and fixing Gratuitous plug for the Thomas family, go we need to get the word out for your issue areas. to www.webpagesfor99dollars.com. They Thanksgiving Rendezvous so I can pub- Lastly, the BCFC Board will meet after will fix you up! lish it on the same channels.” I got it! the holidays to discuss one-, three- and If it were just that simple. This Now I am beginning to understand this five-year plans. It will involve eco- launched the beginning of our new mar- new language. You may reach him at tourism, marketing, advertising, goals, keting effort. Another member of our www.wsiebizsolutions.net. benchmarks, and a growth strategy. As team, Rick Knutsen, journeyed from his BCFC decided to develop a marketing Founder/Director of BCFC, I plan to home/office up in Atlanta to visit us two strategy with simplicity in mind. We involve my group to have more “owner- years ago during a Sunday tour. He vol- identified the four simple requirements to ship” in our cause. unteered his digital marketing services to this plan: Said another way, although no one does help BCFC fill the void with the Facebook 1) Timeline, it as well as I do it, I must trust our volun- generation. He develops comprehensive 2) Milestones, teers and learn to delegate responsibility! digital marketing solutions across multiple 3) Budget, and Keeping it real – the FCF's membership channels, including social media, banner 4) Resources. consists of hundreds of sanctuaries, advertising, and search engine optimiza- We also revisited our mission/vision exhibitors, and breeders worldwide. We tion. With Rick’s help, we were able to, statements and are adding to promote think it may be time for us to unify in within a month, add additional content on Florida Wildlife Treasures to the concept. such a fashion to enable us to “stay on page one, pushing some, shall I say mis- Our first timeline was easy - from now message” by linking our social profiles leading, listings to barely on the first page, until the end of the year. We identified and websites. We continue to spend too well insulated from Bear Creek. Rick two milestones: face lift of the facility and much time as individuals, combating the pointed out that, “It's just a strategy that upgrade web/internet presence. Budget: negative campaigns launched against our works!” He stated that as we publish $2,000 or less. Resources: board mem- membership, when we should be focusing more and more content on our website and bers, volunteers and special friends! The on all of the positive we are doing. Please social channels and engage our audience web/internet presence upgrade is pretty give some thought to joining with us to where they meet, we will ultimately domi- much what you have read previously. The dock up our websites as we co-promote! nate the space on search engines. Rick face lift was decided to have three out- Bottom line: Content, content, content. advised that pushing out content is vital comes: We have to drive our message home and and we want to accentuate the positive we • Upgrade our entrance to be control it across all channels. We want to are doing. Rick emailed this to me only more welcoming and visitor claim and optimize our social profiles. days ago: “BTW, I posted your info friendly, We are now in front of our audience in regarding the National Geographic Photo • Upgrade our exhibit signage, more and more ways and places.

20 2014 FCF Convention is being held in Scottsdale, Arizona!

Thursday, June 19, through Saturday, June 21

Basic Wild/Exotic Feline Husbandry Course and Wildlife Conservation Educators Course ~ Wednesday, June 18

Reserve your vacation time now and watch for flight specials to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX)!

This is it! Finally, the FCF heads west. All your requests have not fallen on deaf ears and we are happy to announce what promises to be one of the best conventions ever! FCF Convention headquarters for 2014 is the Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort & Suites Hotel, 6160 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Our special FCF room rate is only $82 double occupancy. Come early, stay late, and take in the other great attractions, including the Wildlife World Zoo and Phoenix Zoo. Cottonwoods wel- comes our feline friends under 30 pounds. Call 480-991-1414 to reserve your room at the special FCF rate, which includes breakfast for two. Join us as we gather at this peaceful, green, 25-acre retreat tucked into the Sonoran Desert. It’s an inviting oasis featuring exotic desert flora, clean crisp air, and breathtaking Camelback Mountain views. Cottonwoods is designed for ultimate comfort and supreme relaxation includ- ing beautifully manicured grounds, two swim- ming pools, tennis courts, putting greens, and nature trail. Our Cottonwood’s Tucson Casita Suites are 485 square feet of living area with sleeper sofa, luxury plush-top mattresses, upgraded linen packages, mini-refrigerator, high speed internet, and an outdoor dining patio to enjoy the peaceful feeling of the resort. On Friday, the FCF has arranged for a very spe- cial field trip to Out of Africa Park, Camp Verde. We’ll be getting the royal treatment as we tour this one-of-a-kind animal attraction built on love, mutual respect, and understanding between ani- mal and man. Read about Out of Africa Park in this Journal to learn why you do NOT want to miss this exciting Convention. Call it wild, call it crazy, but don’t call it a zoo! IMOS messes with Doug Kildsig’s hair recently fell ill, but has thankfully retur Curt LoGiudice and his tiger educational ambassador spirits. Photo by Willa Kildsig. Lex pose. Dana Heisler photographed the pair for Jacksonville’s Legacy of Leaders, which recently honored Curt and the Catty Shack Ranch and Wildlife Sanctuary. Your Best Shots

Self portrait of Laura Walker and Sampson Jungle Josh Remenar and lion cub Delila Canada lynx sharing a hug. Branson’s Promised Land Zoo. Photo by Remenar. r. IMOS rned to good Wilbur McCauley exercises Indian, the Takoda, a two and a half year old Bengal tiger, at Tigers for Tomorrow cougar, is wearing out his Exotic Animal Preserve. Photo by scratching log at Ghost Cat Habi- Susan Steffens. tat. Photo by Craig Derosa.

Bluebell, a six week old spotted Geoffroy's ah at Olivia the melanistic Geof- kitten, stirred a video sensation on the y Laura froy's kitten is very smart. Geoffroy's Facebook page with her super She comes when called and cuteness. Photo by Lainie Guidry. often leaps into her owner’s arms! Photo by Chris Berry. Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 Catsitting and Enrichment Photos and article by Tina Bayer cats. I spent a lot of time pho- tographing them and being Exotic Feline Cat Sitter, Wildcat Com- comforted by their presence. I panion, or Feline Babysitter, whatever you did everything the exact way want to call it, I can add that title to my Kurt told me to, and I did noth- resume. My life has changed dramatically ing until Kurt said it was okay. in the last few months, all due to the con- I didn’t quite realize that Kurt vention in Nashville. and Patti were impressed with My first wildcat petsitting job was a result my interactions with the cats of geographical coincidence. Since the and how the cats reacted to me. convention, I have kept in very close My interaction with Hunter touch with Kurt and Patti Beckelman in would not be believed, except

Geoffroy’s cat Hunter engaged in adorable play when given a fleece snake toy. Video footage ofr his antics can be seen on FCF’s Facebook page.

Serval Bug finds that celery stalks are incredibly stimulating. Recommended by a fellow exotic animal owner, Tina discov- ered that every cat loved it.

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. I live in that I have video of it all. Cincinnati, Ohio. At the end of August, a A few weeks after returning coworker was taking a bus to Shawnee, home, I received a phone call Oklahoma, to pick up a car from his father from Kurt, asking if I would be and drive it back here to Cincinnati. interested in coming back out to Where my friend was going was only Oklahoma in October, to catsit about an hour away from the Beckelmans, while he and Patti went out of so I asked if I could tag along. town. I was baffled and hon- I had an amazing time with the Beckel- ored by the offer. They trusted mans and their cats. Amadeus was the me with their babies! Getting first leopard I had ever seen in person. He paid to play with the cats (to is so playful. “Where’s Ama?” is one of me, caring for them is play, not his favorite games. I really felt the power work). Seriously, how do you and strength of a leopard, in his legs and turn that down? No way would Rico bobcat is also intrigued with the scent, paws, when we were playing footsies. I say anything other than, and crunchy tactile stimulation of fresh stalks Hunter the Geoffroy’s cat quickly “OMG, YES!” of celery. became my sweet, favorite baby (against The cats in my sole care all logic, because of his reputation). I were: bobcats Bud, Zara, and Ricco; ser- would have my hands full, because the took a milk crate with me from enclosure val Bug; Geoffroy's cats Hunter and Ahni- menagerie also included six lemurs, a rac- to enclosure, sitting and talking to the wake; and African leopard Amadeus. I coon, a skunk, a coati, many dogs, and

24 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 most cat-attractive spices instructions very seriously and applied were. I bought many dif- what I learned in the husbandry course, ferent spices and raided since I would be entering some enclosures the kitchen pantry. (You to feed. Never take your eyes off the cat might have a good amount was stamped in my head. If the cat was of fine feline entertain- too aggressively waiting for food, I varied ment right in your own my approach and improvised. Since cats kitchen, too!) After the are creatures of habit, I chose to feed a lit- pouches were made, my tle earlier than usual, only by a half hour little niece helped me stuff to one hour. This successfully decreased them, and then I sewed the the food anticipation excitement and final side closed. I made aggression. All feedings went flawlessly spice pouches with ground smooth. cinnamon, cinnamon Now came the play. Since wild cats sticks, dried catnip can bond very deeply with their owners, I enhanced with catnip was a little worried about separation anxi- essential oil, parsley, mint ety. This is another reason I wanted to leaves (dry and also concentrate heavily on enrichment. I enhanced with peppermint thought it might relieve some behavioral essential oil), whole all- stress due to Kurt and Patti’s absence. spice, and Old Bay sea- Ricco the bobcat was the only cat that soning. Hey, variety is the seemed distressed. He would not really spice of life, even for cats! participate with anything I offered. I felt I took other spices with bad and tried everything. As long as he Tools of the trade. An assortment of scents went me, but I ended up having was eating and drinking and not chewing into the creation of enrichment toys for the cats so much stuff I didn’t get his fur out, though, I wasn’t too worried to investigate and play with. to try them all. That calls about him. I kept talking to him and for another trip to Okla- didn’t give up on the enrichment. domestic cats. We do not want to discuss homa. the donkeys, but I now understand where Since scent is such a big the expressions “pain in the ass” and part of a cat’s behavior and “stubborn as a mule” come from! environment, I wanted to Since this was going to be a much also try some essential oils. longer visit, I wanted to experiment with During my first visit in play and scent enrichment. I wanted to try August, I did take and try a everything I heard wildcats were attracted few oils with Bug the ser- to. In other words, I was going to spoil val. I sprayed diluted oils the cats rotten! onto empty toilet paper and I immediately began the preparations. I paper towel rolls. I tried wanted to take spice bags, essential oils, lavender, a mint, and and toys out with me to try. I was going Obsession cologne. I even to make the spice bags, pouches, by hand, rubbed a roll over my arms so I had to ask around about what materi- and in the armpits. (Don’t als would be safe. I was advised to use laugh; this is the one she burlap (sisal), unbleached muslin, and a preferred most!) This time, denim-like drill cloth. It was very helpful, I wanted to try catnip and as my mother works in a fabric store, and valerian root essential oils. I bought a lot of material since I needed to I diluted them with distilled experiment with appropriate materials and water at a concentration of sizes. I buy catnip pouches about the size two ounces of water with of a credit card for my domestic cats, so I about 10-20 drops of oil in used that as a starting size base. I got the a spray bottle. sewing machine out and got to work. I Once I arrived at Kurt’s, spent many hours making pouches of dif- I went through the feeding ferent sizes and strengths. I did that routine again with him. I because what would be safe and appropri- video recorded everything ate for a Geoffroy’s may be too easily so I could refer back if swallowed and unsafe for a serval. needed. I was confident I Tina’s niece Maeleigh joined her to make toys for I went through all my accumulated could safely feed and care the cats. Teaching the next generation to care reports, books, and notes to see what the for the cats. I took Kurt’s about wildcats is very important to Tina.

25 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 batting. My domestics and not pose any choking or swallowing love them, so I thought hazards. The first pouch contained ginger some of Kurt’s cats powder and was offered to Bug, and she might like them, too. I rubbed and rolled on it as if in olfactory decided the snakes heaven. might only be safe for Bobcats Bud and Zara were given the Geoffroy’s, so pouches that contained mint leaves Hunter was the only enhanced with peppermint essential oil. one I gave them to. They sniffed and ran like hell. I think I Hunter’s reaction is on used too much peppermint oil. Back to video and posted on the the revision board on that one. FCF Facebook group I made pouches of dried catnip moistened and on my Facebook with a few drops of catnip essential oil. page. It is two minutes That was another funky flop, so I offered of absolutely adorable the straight dried catnip you can buy at play. The snake any pet store. Amadeus and the bobcats allowed him to engage had no interest; they must have thought it in natural predatory was some bad schwag. Hunter had a behavior. If you want delayed reaction, rolling around by it to some cuteness over- adorably later. Bug had the strongest load, check out the reaction rolling in it, possible intervention Hunter gets excited over a pouch of dried catnip. video. Hunter and I now needed. Fresh catnip might be more

I had two cameras going to video have a very strange record and photograph every offering and bond that has reaction. So here is what happened… shocked everyone. I read in a very old FCF Journal article He usually lunges that Geoffroy’s cats love leather. I bought viciously at anyone some leather cord for Hunter. We played who comes near dangle the cord and tug of war. I also his enclosure and is brought some fleece snake toys that a very aggressive. friend makes. They are about 13 inches For some odd rea- long, one and a half inches wide, and have son he has decided rolled fleece inside, no type of stuffing or he loves me and is

Zara bobcat was stimulated by the smell of cinnamon sticks. so sweet and playful attractive. with me. We had so The diluted catnip essential oil sprayed much fun and I was on paper towel rolls was a bit more engag- told that after I left, he ing. Zara bobcat liked her roll on top of became depressed and her house near the top of the enclosure, wouldn’t come out of while Bud preferred the ground. Who is his house for days, not the top cat there, I wonder? even to attack Kurt. I Cinnamon was a big hit. I made pouch- have to mail him some es of ground cinnamon, but I didn’t quite more toys with my like it, so I bought a big bag of cinnamon scent on them. sticks. I placed a handful in each pouch All pouches were and sewed them closed. The sticks stimu- inspected by Kurt lated the olfactory response and the tex- before he left. I want- ture was interesting. Hunter, Bug, Zara, Amadeus the black leopard did not get the scent ed him to make sure he and Bud definitely hit the like button for pouches like the smaller cats, but did enjoy celery thought they would be the cinnamon sticks. and playing “Where’s Ama?” with Tina. safe, durability wise, The valerian root essential oil also

26 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 made the greatest hits list. I sprayed it, diluted, on paper towel rolls and Hunter and Zara both went cuckoo for cocoa puffs. The biggest hit sounds very odd, but was recommended by a fellow exotic cat owner. She told me to give the cats celery stalks. Celery?! Seriously?! It was the most engaging reaction-generating item I passed out. All cats loved it. Amadeus the leopard was even rolling around on his back like a kitten, holding it in his paws. Amadeus, being a large leopard, did not get pouches like the other cats did. Can you imagine making a catnip pouch the size of a throw pillow? That’s a lot of cat- nip and I am sure I would get some strange looks at the store buying that much. I offered him dried catnip straight on the ground and straight cinnamon sticks, but he didn’t seem interested. So we played a lot of “Where’s Ama?” Ahni the Geoffroy’s cat is kept in the bedroom I was sleeping in. Since she did Valerian spray was a big hit with Yeti Canada lynx at Safari’s Sanctuary. a lot of hissing and growling, I took that Sprayed on a log in her enclosure it stimulated her to kick her back leg as a sign she thought my presence was an like a dog being scratched. unwelcome invasion of her territory. I was a cat sitting JOB. It sure didn’t feel was for the cats. I don’t know who had tried to lure her into play with some fish- like work to me. I cannot wait to do it more fun, me or the cats… I really think ing pole-type toys that would allow her to again! It was as enriching for me as it it was me. play at her safe comfort distance. It didn’t work, but I did leave catnip pouches and a snake toy out that she could play with FCF NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT while I wasn’t in the room. While out in Oklahoma, I spent time volunteering at Safari’s Sanctuary, where Kurt also volunteers. I logged some good Meet the time working with the cats there. I decid- Wildcat ed they needed some of my special fun, too. Safety Net I took the valerian spray with me one Challenge! day and shared it with some cats. I Challenge! sprayed it on one tiger’s boomer ball and watched as she tried to roll with it and on FCF granted funds to it. The bobcats and serval had various transport 28 tigers to items in their enclosure sprayed with it Turpentine Creek and the cats smelled and rubbed away. Wildlife Refuge where the these big cats a secure retirement home to live out their golden The Canada lynx Yeti was the funniest. years. The oil was sprayed on a log in her enclo- Now we need to refresh our funding so FCF can help transport more cats when emergen- cies arise. sure. I recorded and laughed, because she For each donation of $30 or more, choose one of three thank you prints by artist Teri was so excited her back leg started kick- Zucksworth. These 18” x 24” colored pencil drawings are ready for matting and framing. ing in the air like a dog does when he gets Pick the black leopard, “Hanging Around,” the a good scratch. Another day I took some lounging white tiger, “Paying a Visit,” or the celery in to Yeti. I placed it on her plat- snow leopard, “Standing Guard.” form by her house. She definitely enjoyed Go to the FCF website to make a donation with it. I stayed in there watching and record- PayPal today. Or call the treasurer at ing as she “stalked” the celery. I think she 479-394-5235 to use your credit card and support this worthy cause. liked the valerian better though. Do your part to help transport captive felines I have all my offerings and reactions out of harm’s way—support the FCF Wildcat documented by a couple thousand pictures Safety Net with a donation today. and I don’t know how many videos. This

27 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 Mocha By Chuck Bunnell

A small domestic cat entered our cougar's enclosure and she ate part of the cat, burying the rest for me to find. It was not a pretty sight. Our cougar, Mocha, seemed fine for a few days. On the third day after eating the cat, she started getting very lazy. She would not eat, drink water, or play. There were no beautiful, happy cougar noises. On the fourth day, she could barely sit up. I called Doc Antle of T.I.G.E.R.S. and then our veterinarian. I got antibiotics, syringes, and lots of great information. I learned how to take a cougar's tempera- ture and give shots, among other valuable things. Mocha's temperature reached 103˚F, Mocha the cougar is a happy, healthy 15-year-old.

only exotic animal. My together. She was only four years old girl was only four years when this happened. Today she is just old and it was not fair over 15 years old and is the happiest that she was going to cougar. She still always purrs and talks die so young. like crazy. I can never forget how bad I stayed with her in those days were thinking she was going to her pen for three days die. It still breaks my heart. and nights and kept ice- Of course, I “fixed” the compound so cold towels on her to animals cannot get in, with the exception keep her body tempera- of mice and birds. Here are some hints ture down. I continued for securing your compound from smaller giving her shots every animals. 12 hours and taking her First off, make sure your enclosure is Large gap between the gate pole and the pole where temperature every 12 tight enough that small house cats or other the gate latches to the pole leave room for unwel- hours. Finally, after a small animals cannot get in. The easiest come visitors. week, she held her head place for an animal to enter the enclosure which is next to coma and death. By the up and made a noise. She was coming is usually where the gate closes. This is fifth day, Mocha could barely open her back to me! It took another couple of because there is usually a large gap eyes. She could not move from a prone days before Mocha was her normal, happy between the gate pole and the pole where position. I could give her shots and she self, purring and making the beautiful the gate latches to the pole. The fix is did not even flinch. I was told to be pre- cougar noises again. simple. Add another pole between them! pared for the worst, but there is no such She and I are both very lucky to have Anywhere else you see a gap, close it off thing as preparing for the death of your been able to spend the rest of her life either with a pole or with more chain link.

Attach extra pole with clamps and fill in spaces The fix is simple; add another pole. large enough for animals to enter.

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29 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 Wildlife Conservation Expo 2013 By Chris Tromborg ed 35,000. Recent estimates place that On Saturday, October 12, the Wildlife number closer to Conservation Network held its annual 18,000. Cheetahs, conservation event at the Mission Bay always on the edge, campus of the University of California in are holding their own San Francisco. Scores of conservation relative to lions and organizations were represented, including tigers. Snow leopard many concerned with the conservation of numbers are difficult felines. A partial list of these includes the to estimate, with the Wildlife Conservation Society, Felidae, level of turmoil in the Cheetah Conservation Fund, Cheetah Afghanistan and Pak- Conservation Kenya, Cheetah Conserva- istan. In August of tion Botswana, the Snow Leopard Trust, this year, the Small the Snow Leopard Conservancy, Niassa Cat Alliance held a Dr. James Sanderson of FCF and The Small Cat Alliance discusses the evils of using palm oil with Dr. Chris Tromborg of FCF and MLF.

traditional Chinese medicine. This is also presentation where- a major problem for African lions, as their in the status of the bones are also being used to supplement bobcat in the Unit- the increasingly difficult to obtain tiger ed States, and espe- bone in this enterprise. FCF member Dr. cially in California, Chris Tromborg, also a board member of was stated to be rel- the Mountain Lion Foundation, suspects atively secure. that cougars will be next on this menu of Unfortunately, bob- misguided medicine. cat fur has suddenly The FCF table was located near good become popular in company, in a row of tables including China, and bobcat those for Felidae, the Puma Project, and bone is now being the Mountain Lion Foundation. It was FCF member Chris Tromborg stands at the FCF table used to supplement waiting to inform others about the FCF vision of the directly adjacent to a table from the U.S. the declining sup- Department of Fish and Wildlife. This future of felines. ply of tiger bone in

Lion Conservation, the Andean Cat Alliance, the Small Cat Alliance, the Registered Exotic Feline Handler Program Puma Project, the Mountain Lion Founda- tion, and the Feline Conservation Federa- The FCF board of directors congratulates the following individuals for tion. The FCF was represented at the being accepted into the Registered Exotic Feline Handler Program since expo by Dr. James Sanderson, founder of the past Journal issue. the Small Cat Alliance, and Dr. Chris Tromborg, both FCF board members. This annual expo allows those involved in James Battista – Intermediate Rebecca Krebs – Advanced wildlife conservation to gather together and compare notes about successes and Basic Feline Handlers have documented at least one year of experience, Intermedi- failures of the past year. It provides con- ate level is at least five years of experience, and Advanced handlers have more than servationists with an opportunity to ten years experience. Update your registration when you obtain additional handling exchange ideas about tactics and proce- experience or new species experience. dures that can be employed in attempts to The online registration form can be filled out directly in the members-only section stem a seemingly inevitable tide of immi- of the FCF website. The $30.00 registration fee can be made through PayPal. nent extinctions. Being a registered handler is the first step to becoming a Professional Member. The general news for animal conserva- Professional Membership application is also online on the Members-Only website. tion around the world is as troubling as Congratulations to all of these members for their dedication to their cats. ever. In March of this year, the Niassa Lion Research Project stated that lion Debi Willoughby, FCF Secretary numbers in South Saharan Africa exceed-

30 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 table displayed con- products. fiscated wildlife parts The FCF's message was and products, includ- well received. All of our ing two tiger skins, a sample brochures, Journals, jaguar skin, a com- and DVDs were taken by vis- plete head and skin of itors at the FCF table. The a clouded leopard, a FCF message was made more skull from a Siberian effective by the location of its bear , a skull from an table, directly adjacent to that orangutan , some ele- of the DFW table with its dis- phant teeth, a rhino turbing evidence of the unbri- horn, and other pieces dled destruction of cats in the of formerly living wild. The importance of cap- beings. There was not tive conservation, alternate enough room on the gene pools, and the absolute table for the leopard necessity of enhancing educa- skins or other cat tion with animal ambassadors parts. Surprisingly, became self-evident as visi- all of this material tors looked from the living was confiscated in The U.S.D.F.W. table displays the wages of sin, with a tiger skin, a captive felines at the FCF San Francisco, a city jaguar skin, and the full skin of a clouded leopard. table to the deceased rem- generally regarded as nants of former felines at the being friendly to prosecution activities of U.S.D.F.W. have DFW table. wildlife. The situation is probably worse been profoundly disrupted by the govern- Altogether, it was a productive event. in other places. ment shut down. The hamstringing of the The FCF will continue its conservation It should be noted that the officers of government's conservation efforts has efforts and will present our view of con- the U.S. Department of Fisheries and been a boon to many of the opponents of servation at next year's Wildlife Conserva- Wildlife were at the expo on their own wildlife conservation, especially those tion Expo. time, since many of the interdiction and who are trafficking in wildlife parts and

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31 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013

32 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 FCF Education Committee Would Love Your Help! By Kim Barker ANIMAL FINDERS' GUIDE Our Education Committee is broken Published the first of each month down into two sections: the Marketing 12 issues – only $24 Department and the Resources Depart- ment. The Marketing Department is led Informative articles on exotic by Lauren Bean, and its main focus is animal husbandry and what is marketing our educational items to our happening in the industry. members, selling products in order to raise funds for our printed educational materi- Exotic animals, als, and recruiting new members. Lauren related products & services, wrote an article in the last Journal giving auctions & shows advertised. you an update on the marketing projects PO Box 99, Prairie Creek, IN 47869 her department is working on. The Resources Department is led by me, Kim phone: 812-898-2678, fax: 812-989-2013 Barker. The main focus of this depart- www.animalfindersguide.com ment is to provide educational resources email: [email protected] for our members to use in their studies, teaching, shows, etc. Here is an update on the Resources pro- Guigna Species Fact Sheet in the Youth a little more detail than most people will jects we are currently working on. Section of our website. ask for, and visitors hopefully walk away We have been working with Fernando I have been creating tri-fold informa- with a greater understanding of an animal Vidal, from Chile, and Jim Sanderson on a tional boards for the Conservators’ Center. they may have never heard of before that Guigna Fact Sheet. Fernando and Jim This is a visual aid with pictures and edu- day. We hope one day to be able to mass have given the FCF exclusive permission cational information on animals that go produce these types of boards, but we to use this fact sheet. We will be using the out into the community to museums, have found that including pictures of ani- information from this sheet to update the schools, and special events. I plan to offer mals that people are going to meet on these to FCF their visit to our facility helps them to members, who connect even more. There is also an could use this extensive amount of research and plan- information as a ning that goes into each board. My tool and, in some process of creating one board takes weeks, cases, to help sometimes months, so unfortunately I can- answer questions not take every request to create one. I when there are will, however, be happy to consult with lots of visitors folks wanting to create some for their site and not enough if they cannot wait for me to make one for staff to answer a them. AND, as the species information group’s questions. sheets get completed, there will be a This is a custom plethora of information to include on your ͞FRESH + OASIS is the 'Missing Link' to a Healthy product on the board. Materials for the boards are not Complete Diet & Optimal Performance͟ species you want. particularly special, depending upon how The design can elaborate you want your board, but they also be very eye- can get pricey. Most everything can be Add Oasis premix to fresh meat & the result is a scientifically catching to found at a craft or office supply store balanced and complete real food diet ʹ no guess work. Oasis is passersby and (Michaels, Office Depot, etc.). I use actu- professionally formulated by Dr. Gary Pusillo, and for over 20 draw attention to al photographs on my boards that can be years, has been the #1 selling vitamin & mineral premix for exotic your organiza- developed at any photo processing center. cats, trusted by the world's top breeders, private zoos and tion. This can be Just remember, if the photograph is not sanctuaries. Now Oasis is available under the Complete Natural used as an extra yours and is not from an open source, you Nutrition brand along with other exceptional nutritional tools like resource for your may be required to obtain permission to Primal Cal, Rapid Rehab & Crisis Care. staff and volun- use it depending on copyright laws. Even teers when if you know the person who took the pic- www.CompleteNaturalNutrition.com / 866-807-7335 answering ques- ture and it is not copyrighted, it is always tions from the a good idea, and polite, to ask them if you public. may use it. If you want to start creating Boards go into your own tri-folds, here are the materials

33 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013

Serval Board: The title at the top center is a balsa board covered with thin foam. This is glued on. In cases where the name goes across the entire centerpiece, the wood title board is Velcro on the back and top of the board for easy removal. The picture of the serval and the letters spelling “serval” are a piece of felt that had pictures ironed onto it, which were then cut out. This was a style decision on my part. you will definitely need: - A foam core tri-fold board (approximately $16 at craft or office supply store) - Multi-colored construction/scrap book paper (based on color scheme you want to use) - three-foot balsa wood slab (as title board) - Stencils for larger letters if you want to create your own - Stick on letters for smaller lettering Even if you can only give two hours of In the next Journal, Amy Flory, head of needs your time a month, it would be greatly the Youth Newsletter, will write an article - Photos appreciated! updating you on her newsletter projects. - Ruler - Scissors BE PROUD & WEAR AN FCF LOGO T-SHIRT! - Cutting mat - X-acto knife New FCF logo t-shirts are here! These beautiful color print- - Craft glue ed shirts feature the - Access to a word processing program (MS Word, for example) and printing FCF logo on the - A little creativity and imagination front and the paw A new project that we are starting to prints and message work on is the species trading card pro- “What will you leave ject. Our goal is to have an inexpensive behind?” on the takeaway item for young people (and the back. Shirt colors young at heart) as a reminder of the ani- are sports grey, yel- mals they have learned about. We are cur- rently researching a few companies that low haze, and peb- offer good quality trading card options at ble. Shirts sizes are relatively affordable prices. There will be small, medium, more to come as we pilot this and get large, extra-large, feedback on the effectiveness (both in cost and double extra- and the public response) of the cards. large. Shirts are We have so many great ideas for $20, and shipping to resources that we would like to offer to our members, but unfortunately, with only U.S. addresses is a few people helping out, we cannot get only $5.00. Use the through them all. We would love to hear Membership from fellow members! If you have any form/Product order resource ideas for us to add to our list or if form included in you want to volunteer on this committee, this Journal issue to please email me at [email protected]. buy yours today!

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©2013 PMI Nutrition International. All Rights Reserved. Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 Enrichment 101 By Thunder, the Bobcat above activities squeezed into one morn- ing, I have had a good workout and need I am the super macho, 30-pound house to take this athletic body of mine down cat with well-trained butlers. I am only the hall for a good cooling off period. four years old and have many more birth- This gives me time to think of the next days to come. In the meantime, I have enrichment program for them. these enrichment ideas to share about me Some mornings, my mom butler will and my peeps (they think they are my toss one of my toilet brushes down the masters). I have a feeding mom and a hallway. I love pushing it away from her napping dad. They have adjusted well to soccer ball style and making her come get my training, but have more to learn. Our it to toss the other way. Since my legs are morning routine starts with getting into shorter and move faster, I must admit I the bedroom and picking up after them. am huffing and puffing by the time I wear All pieces of Kleenex must be washed in her out, but she is real good at making it the toilet before I begin any activities of go in different directions so I can get it pleasure. Sometimes I even confiscate the further away from her. After she leaves roll of toilet paper from the hiding places for work, I will sometimes take a nap and give it a bath. I am really good at with the dad butler. He makes a good bed Toilets are good for drinking, wash- bathing things and must admit there is not bunkie and I give him about half of the ing “stuff” in, and pit stops. They much left when I get done. On the other bed. This allows me to stretch this beau- are the most useful creation my but- hand, my doggie toys hold up much better, tiful spotted belly out, sometimes Jesus lers have in the house. Photo by and I make good use of the recycling pro- style. They have too many pillows on the Roger Standfield. gram on them. I wash them in the toilet, bed and sometimes I will take one. I like eating and reminding all the little domes- play with them, get them dirty, and repeat. to pretend it is my woman and rough it up tics that I am home. If they come close, I Now, that can take lots of time and be a little. I can bite it, talk to it, and move it will try to play with them. Most of them, exhausting, but there are other ways for around the house. however, shake in their paws and stay me to entertain my peeps. For example, I I am a red meat man. When my feed- away from the porch. I have all of them love cotton sheets. The Egyptian, softer ing butler gets home, she takes care of me in their place, and my butlers need not cotton is the best. They are fun to spin out or I work on retraining her. I am a happy bother with giving them attention. The on, race under the blankets and pillows, camper with deer meat. If she tries to butlers do not have time to waste on this and just have a “ripping” good old time. feed me some of that chicken, I will do chore. My peeps even tap on my claws with things. I learned how to open the fridge to Other activities I squeeze into my busy proud parenting smiles, meaning I am see if there is anything good to eat hiding day, at my leisure, include playing with doing a good job of entertaining them in there and will sometimes check on the whiffle ball at 5 or 6 am to remind my with this activity. Now, if I get all of the Izabella, the Canadian, to see if she has peeps that they are alive and have made it anything interesting to through the night. They are welcome to steal. I eat anything I can join me!! I also like to let someone brush until I get a real good red me. It keeps all my hair straight so I do meat meal. not have to wash it, dry it, curl it, or spray I have favorites for it. I can look good with their hard work, treats. Ham is at the top not mine. of the list. I love that Then there are the bonding moments. I salty flavor and will fight like to give my feeding butler a workout for the whole bag. and let her drape me over her shoulder or Sometimes my afternoon jump on her back when she is leaning butler will sneak a little over. She needs those muscles to get me plain yogurt or cottage more deer meat and it is my job to help cheese to me. If the but- her. The biggest bonding moment is when ler is on his best behav- my butlers are giving each other a hug; I ior, I will get a chicken must get in the middle for mine. They neck or gizzard snack My entertainment guru, Chris Costa. I have her must have forgotten about me and a group before the feeding butler hug is an efficient way for me to remind wrapped around my tail and it is my job to enter- comes home. My last tain her when she visits. I will bring her my them that I exist. I am sure with my great activity of the day is organizational skills I may have forgotten favorite toy, the toilet brush, and let her practice being a super macho throwing it. I am not ready for her to try out for the some of the training I have given them for porch kitty. I like to their enrichment, but hopefully you get big leagues, even though she is the bestest. Photo watch the nightlife after by Roger Standfield. the picture. Leah & Bobby Aufill.

36 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 A Short Primer on Kidney Failure in Cats By Lynn Culver include problems eating, drinking, digest- phorus, so it builds up in the blood. High ing, and going to the bathroom. phosphate levels can cause calcium and Kidney failure can be either acute or Creatinine is a chemical waste mole- phosphorus to form deposits in the heart, chronic. Acute kidney failure occurs cule that is generated from muscle metab- lungs, joints, and skin, which affect organ suddenly and is marked by a sudden olism. The kidneys filter out most of the functioning. decline in kidney function. Chronic kid- creatinine and dispose of it in the urine. As toxins begin to build up in the ney failure is a progressive or continuous As the kidneys become impaired for any bloodstream, the feline may begin to deterioration of kidney function. Symp- reason, the creatinine level in the blood show signs of nausea, stomach irritation, toms of chronic kidney disease may not will rise due to poor clearance of creati- and other digestive problems. Kidney develop until very little kidney function nine by the kidneys. failure contributes to weakness and a lack remains. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level is of energy. Cats suffering from end-stage Acute kidney failure is reversible and, another indicator of kidney function. kidney failure are lethargic or depressed. therefore, it can be cured. Conversely, Urea nitrogen is a waste product that is In very serious cases, a cat may become chronic renal failure is irreversible. In excreted by cells when they break down hypothermic and then fall into a coma- human medicine, renal failure is treated protein. The kidneys are designed to fil- like state. Finally, these cats may suffer with dialysis or a kidney transplant, but ter this waste product out of the blood from convulsions or seizures due to a in animals, especially wild felines, this is and pass it into the urine. This blood test build-up of calcium and other substances not practical. will be high when the kidneys are not which are normally filtered from the kid- Inside the kidney are nephrons that working properly. neys. As the toxins affect the internal regulate electrolytes and process waste, Chronic kidney disease can increase organs and nervous system and reach the which is essential for a cat's digestive levels of phosphates in the blood (hyper- brain, seizures may result. health. When these nephrons disappear, phosphatemia). This is because the kid- the cat is in kidney failure. Symptoms neys cannot adequately filter out phos-

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37 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 Aben’s Story By Lynn Culver it will happen around that age. And, I counsel people, I get calls from cat owners asking for if a cat is not predisposed, medical advice. I am not a veterinarian. I then chances are it will hap- have owned a variety of wild cat species pen around the age of 15 or for more than two decades, and that does 16 years. Being an obligate give me a lot of personal experience to carnivore is hard on both the draw upon. I also enjoy watching medical liver and kidneys, making dramas on TV, like Mystery Diagnosis, treatment of these organ fail- True Stories of the ER, and Dr. G Medical ures problematic in a wild Examiner. Biology in humans and ani- cat. mals is similar, and there is always some- Over the weekend, my thing to learn about how organs work or husband announced that the pathology of diseases, causes of death, something was wrong with and what antibiotics treat what problems. Aben, our Canada lynx, and When I get a phone call from someone, he suspected we needed to of course I advise that they seek veteri- worm him and the other cats. nary assistance and council them as best I It’s fall and it is a good idea can. Often, that means sharing anecdotal to worm before winter to stories of similar situations experienced keep the cats in the best by me or stories of other owner’s cats. shape for dealing with the With so many cats and so many years, I stress of cold weather. But I have had my share of experience with was not that concerned and I pneumonia, diarrhea, coccidia, campy- did not take the early warning lobacter and fungal infections, intestinal signs seriously. Aben was blockages, stomach ulcers, infections, only seven years old. Since liver and renal failures, and various forms he lived with two other lynx, of cancer. Each illness is a learning we had to confine him to a Aben, like all Canada lynx, transforms into full opportunity, and each death, however smaller enclosure to wait for glory in winter. Seasonal changes trigger a dra- tragic, carries with it an opportunity to a fecal deposit to bring to the matic change in their coat, switching from the expand my understanding and share vet for diagnosis. I decided thin, brown color of summer to an incredibly lessons learned with others. to cover my bases and treat thick, striking silver-gray in winter. For instance, a cat not eating can be so him with Baytril just in case many things. Since our cats cannot talk, he had an infection. He received a shot on offered him a two-inch cube of chicken we have to be careful observers of behav- Sunday and another on Monday. with the pill piece hidden inside, it took ior and body language. We have to pick Tuesday, I brought the fecal sample to him five bites to finish it off. On the one up as many clues as we can to help our vet the vet and was told they thought they saw hand, I wondered if he was testing it for diagnose and cure the cat. Is there any campylobacter rods moving on the slide the presence of a pill, though he did eat vomit in the enclosure? What does the and that we needed to medicate Aben for the pill, and, on the other hand, it looked poop look like? Is the cat’s behavior nor- this protozoan. I came home with enough more like he was having problems actual- mal, or is he sluggish? Has he suddenly azithromycin for Aben and his two female ly eating and chewing. It was then that I lost weight? What does his fur look like? companions, Little Miss and Shelby, since noticed a pill on the ground, which meant What do his eyes look like? What is the they all shared the same enclosure and this he had managed to spit out the pill from a entire history of the lack of appetite? is contagious. My experience with this previous day’s medication. And I looked How old is the cat? Is it dehydrated? protozoan is mainly with kittens and I around further and noticed a scrape pile of When someone calls with a sick cat have seen it be the cause of vomiting, leaves and found vomit. Did the vomit asking for help, many times what I am reduced appetite, dehydration, and, defi- contain another day’s pill or did that go doing is telling them stories of other sick nitely, loose stools. What was strange was with the pill piece on the ground? Aben cats with similar symptoms, then talking that Aben’s stool looked fine. should have received three days of a five them into having a vet draw blood to We began treatment, inserting a tiny day course of meds, plus the pill I just hopefully diagnose the problem and coun- piece of pill into a small bite of meat. watched him eat, so he should have been seling them on the best way to get their Aben’s appetite was falling, and each feeling better. But if he spit one of the animal to their vet. morning we removed some of the prior pills out and vomited the other, then that If a cat in question is between the ages day’s meal, but his eyes looked bright and could explain why he was not recovering. of six and eight years, countless times I he did not appear terribly ill. His poops I told Bart about my discovery and he have told people of the possibility of liver looked normal, too. But then Friday after- came over to examine the situation and or kidney illness. It seems that if a cat has noon, Bart and I both observed a serious found another piece of a pill under the a genetic predisposition to these failures, decline in Aben’s behavior. When I feeding station!

38 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 I gave Aben a careful once over and felt solution and attached a drip line and relief, Aben sat up in his crate and greeted the telltale grit of flea dirt. I had been began giving him fluids subcutaneously. Bart with a big lynx hello and a head bob. counseling another FCF member about Over the course of the day, his body tem- He did the same for me. He definitely flea anemia on a bobcat, so how ironic perature slowly returned to normal and he seemed better, but certainly was not well. that I, too, might have the same problem received 700 milliliters of fluid. Aben drank from a cup of water I offered with Aben. I dosed Aben with Advantage I wondered about the diagnosis – was it throughout the day. However, the warm drops behind his neck. It was difficult to a protozoan infection bringing him down, chicken soup with ground turkey puree get down under such thick fur – fall or could it be a flea infestation causing did not entice him to eat. At least he was weather brings on a dramatic change in anemia? Because he was in the house and drinking, but now I noticed he was ataxic. lynx fur coats – they go from scruffy there are also exotic kittens in the house, I His muscles were weak and he was brown in the summer, to a thick, luxurious did not want to risk fleas getting loose off unsteady on his feet. silver-blue pelt in the late fall and all win- of him. So I did something I deeply Over the course of the day, I gave him ter. I offered Aben a normal portion of regret. I got some Adams flea spray and another 500 milliliters of Lactated Ringers food, but had serious doubts he was going doubled up on his flea treatment just to be solution. I brushed him to remove much to eat dinner. sure. of the flea dirt on his neck and at the bot- I went to bed concerned, but, as luck Turns out Lady Luck was not on my tom of his back and base of his tail so that would have it, my vet and her office assis- side, as the veterinarian got a farm call his fur felt clean and healthy again. I tant had arranged to visit on Saturday. I and did not come by with the assistant and kissed his head and whispered into his figured I would turn this social call into an her kids. Now it was a weekend, the clin- ears that we would make him well, and I opportunity to draw blood and get a diag- ics were closed, and I had no blood work hovered close by his side. Eventually, my nosis. Saturday morning, we found Aben and a very sick lynx on my hands. I did constant meddling attention began to was much worse. He was on the floor of pop another piece of pill down his throat, bother him and he sat up and staggered his cage and not getting up. Bart and I gave him a shot of B complex, and anoth- out of the crate. He found a big kitty litter brought a carrier outside and I was able to er shot of Baytril, because I still was not box and sat in it, and I thought he would just pull him into the carrier. Once inside confident of the diagnosis. He was warm, pee, but he did not. Then he staggered our home, I put him inside a wire crate on hydrated, and medicated, and I could do over to my computer desk and rested a towel over a plastic heating pad. He no more. He had no interest in food and underneath it. Moving around was an was hypothermic and very dehydrated. I no interest in water. improvement, but I was shocked at how warmed up a bag of Lactated Ringers Sunday morning arrived and, to our weak and jerky his movements were. And

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39 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 the terrible fear crossed my mind that per- I debated about giving him some dextrose. and the commercial says use Dawn deter- haps I had poisoned him with flea spray. Was he hypoglycemic from fasting? gent to save wildlife! Still fixated on the I returned Aben to the wire crate and Would the benefits of dextrose outweigh flea spray poison theory, I once again got a warm, moist terry towel and thor- the risks of giving it subcutaneously? drew another warm bath and this time oughly rubbed his spine to try to remove Dextrose should only be administered scrubbed him with Dawn dish soap. The any of the flea spray from him. I soaked through an IV line, as it can result in water no longer turned colors, as the two him down and then toweled it off. It was abscesses if given subcutaneously. But I baths previously had cleaned him well. around 10:00 that night and I decided I have done it before and never had an But I felt better. I knew we were treading had done everything I could, and he was abscess and I chose to take that risk at this in very dangerous waters, and I had to sta- stable and I was going to bed for the point. I gave him 200 milliliters of Lac- bilize the patient and give all the support- night. But in a matter of minutes, Bart tated Ringers Solution and 200 milliliters ive care possible to give his body time to called for help, as Aben was having a of 5% dextrose solution. As soon as I was heal from this poison. seizure! I flew out of bed and concluded done, Aben had another seizure! And, Aben was seen by the veterinarian at that he must be poisoned from the flea again, I administered another two tenths the clinic. He was awake, eyes open, but spray and that stirring it up with the terry of a cc of valium to stop it. I was haunted not really responsive. His temperature towel had only made matters worse. I had by the thought that the flea spray was the was only 94.6 degrees, very hypothermic. to soap him up and give him a full bath culprit and I worried that I had failed to At that body temperature, it is not surpris- and get it off him. scrub him thoroughly enough. In a des- ing that he was nearly comatose. He was Valium is an anti-seizure drug and for- perate effort to save my beloved lynx, I put on a heating pad and wrapped in warm tunately I had some on hand. I injected drew another warm bath and carried him towels from the dryer. The technician Aben with two tenths of a cc and then to the tub and scrubbed him with baby shaved his leg and drew the blood. While another tenth of a cc before his seizure shampoo and really soaped him up and we waited for the machine to print out the subsided. He was nearly comatose, and I rinsed him well. When he was toweled off results, a thorough examination was con- drew a warm bath and brought him into and back on the heating pad, I made a bed ducted. The vet could feel something the tub and held his head above the water beside him to watch over him through the crunchy inside him and could also feel and scrubbed his fur with baby shampoo. night. He was finally sleeping soundly, some fecal material as well. He had been Plenty of flea dirt turned the water red and with rhythmic breathing and muscles pooping, so I really didn’t think it was a I figured I had made a difference. I tow- relaxed. I checked him every 20 minutes block, but maybe a tumor?? But the vet eled him off and dried him as best I could with a flashlight, unable to sleep myself. did not think so. Urine was expressed and returned him to the warmth of the But after several hours, I decided he was from his bladder for analysis. heating pad and set up his fluid line again. stable and I left him for my own bed. The answer came back. Aben was not At 7:00 the next anemic, so we could probably rule out his morning, I returned flea infestation as the cause of his illness. and he was still rest- Aben did not have a high white blood cell ing, but now he was count either, so this was probably not an twitching, to me infection. But Aben was in renal failure. another sign of flea His BUN was greater than 130 – which is spray poisoning. I the maximum the machine registers, and considered that they his creatinine was also off the chart. Nor- might be tiny seizures mal is less than 2.4, and my vet tells me and I treated him with he has seen creatinine levels in the high another three tenths teens recorded on his machine, so while of a cc of valium, but we do not know what his numbers were, it did nothing. I gave the news was dire. The final clue was his another three tenths phosphorus level, which was another of a cc of valium and immeasurably high number, greater than still he was twitching. 16. Normal is less than eight. Being way I called the vet to above normal is consistent with chronic arrange to bring him kidney disease, not acute failure from in that morning and events in the immediate past. The find- spoke to the assistant. ings were not consistent with flea spray She said the twitching poisoning, which was only a small conso- was not seizures and lation at this point. Renal failure is a valium would not death sentence, and survival is a matter of help. She also said I luck really. The urinalysis showed blood should wash him with in the urine; but it also indicated that the detergent to remove kidneys were doing some concentrating, Aben enjoys a chin scratch from Bart Culver. Photo the flea spray. Of which was surprising news to the vet, con- by Eden Tran. course, I was using a sidering the extreme values of the BUN mild baby shampoo and creatinine.

40 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 I think that Aben noticed he never did was not the only vic- wet the towel of the tim of shock at this crate over the weekend point. I was in and Monday. Little or denial. I went to the no urine output is vet for help and I another sign of renal was not ready to failure. Both of his kid- give up. About the neys indeed looked very only hope is to flush diseased. The tops of the kidneys with them were whitish and more Lactated the bottoms were black. Ringers solution I will never know if directly into the he could have been veins. I gave the saved had we diagnosed okay for the vet to him earlier. This story shave his arm and is being shared to help set up an IV line for others. Sometimes him. Over the symptoms are vague, course of the next and you should not take two hours, his body good health for granted. temperature slowly Cats hide their weak- rose to 96.8˚F and he nesses and must have received about 100 the ability to suppress ml of fluids. I exam- pain. Case in point, ined him all over, Aben stands in his large habitat in front of the entryway to one of the Aben never limped or and especially his smaller birthing cages. This is where we confined him to obtain a fresh indicated his paws hurt. feet. I discovered he stool sample and, also, to medicate and monitor him before moving him Routine health checks had claws growing into our home for intensive care. and blood work can back from his give you a baseline to declaw surgery. One was even curled that weekend, he would not come down work with and you can see illness develop back and about to penetrate for a second off the ramps to visit. That was odd; that in the early stages. There is no substitute time. Most were deformed nubs that had was not Aben. But do you run to the vet for a complete work-up. broken through the skin. Cats hate for and say – my cat snubbed my company? As Bart and I ponder our loss and you to touch their feet, so this was some- And then I recall seeing occasional vomit grieve over Aben’s passing, we are certain thing I had no idea was going on. Aben is in the lynx enclosure. Cats vomit some- of one thing – Aben knew more than us one of the only declawed cats on our times; it does not mean they need a vet. about his situation. Aben rallied on Sun- property, having had the surgery prior to But maybe that was another signal we day morning to say good bye to us both. arrival. I got out a pair of clippers and missed. And then when we did confine To thank us for his life and to let us know began trimming his nails and promised him, I noted that I could feel the bumps on how much he loved us. I still cannot him that, once he was well again, I would his spine and he had definitely lost a lot of believe how he appeared to be improving have corrective surgery to fix his feet. weight. Of course, campylobacter can do Sunday and then passed away Monday Aben was on a one drop of fluid every that, too. But when he was suddenly terri- night. five seconds drip and, at that rate, a bag bly dehydrated Saturday would last about 20 hours. I went home morning, hypothermic, with another bag to follow up and the and very weak, that is FCF Professional Membership hope that somehow we could flush out a classic kidney failure, and block and get his kidneys working again. I never saw it coming. All day long as I watched over him, he Aben passed away The Professional Membership Review Committee never had another seizure, but he contin- shortly before midnight has approved the following members who have applied ued to twitch his muscles and remain Monday night. The next for FCF Professional Membership since publication of unresponsive. And I began to think back morning, I performed a the last FCF Journal. over all the details of the past two weeks. gross necropsy – I had to Were there any signs we failed to pick up know more. He did not Kathrin Stucki Julia Wagner on? There were the guests the weekend have an intestinal block. Julie Walker before he fell ill. Aben always comes He did have some chicken down to greet any company. He is a bones still in his stomach, Professional members have registered their handling expe- favorite cat at our facility, having been probably from Thursday’s rience, entered their felines in the census, agreed to abide by raised by another family and having spent meal, so I guess his diges- the code of conduct, and meet the policy definition of an the first two years of his life with kids tive system had shut down. FCF Professional. inside a home; he was very social. But His bladder was full. I had

41 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 57, Issue 5 • September/October 2013 Third Quarter FCF Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Third quarter Board of Directors Meet- with 5 yes votes, 0 no votes. make announcements. The board is ing was held on the FCF Forums from Appointment to Accreditation Commit- encouraged to get the committees October 22-28, 2013. Board members tee: Rebecca Krebs: Lynn moved to involved in contributing to this newsletter present were: President Kevin Chambers, appoint Rebecca to the Accreditation on an ongoing basis. Vice President Mindy Stinner, Treasurer Committee, seconded by Kevin. Motion Wild Cat Weekend: We have Lynn Culver, Secretary Debi Willoughby, carried with 6 yes votes, 0 no votes. announced our next Wild Cat Weekend, and Director Pat Callahan. Director Chris Membership Renewal Report: Lynn which will be from January 10-12, 2014, Tromborg and Director Jim Sanderson explained that there is a glitch in our web- and will be hosted at the Big Cat Habitat were not present. site, so the yearly renewal process didn’t and Gulf Coast Sanctuary (BCH) in Sara- Ratify the 2nd Quarter 2013 Minutes: start in July as normal with three notices sota, FL. As an added bonus, BCH will The minutes of the Convention Board being sent. Instead it started in September perform a wild animal show during each meeting and the membership meeting and will end in November with six email class and we are also offering access to were approved by consent. One correc- notices being sent. the BCH and a guided tour on Saturday. tion was made to the board minutes stat- FCF Website: Our website manager is Professional Applications: There are ing the motion to appoint Shelleen Math- currently trying to fix glitches in our out- pending applications from August 2012 ews to the Professional committee. It dated website. Our website is having that need to be reviewed. Lynn will con- was not in the original minutes, but the issues, because it is old and not compati- tact Shelleen Matthews, who was appoint- motion had carried. ble with new technology. He will also be ed onto the committee in June 2013, to get Treasurer’s Report: Reviewed and ana- giving the board a proposal to do a total the ball rolling. lyzed. Third quarter income = $6,575.49; upgrade to our website to get it up to date. 2014 Convention Date and Location: Third quarter expenses = $4,639.41. Net The board all agreed we need this upgrade The convention will be at the Scottsdale Income = $1,936.08. and will wait to see the proposal. Cottonwoods Resort in Scottsdale, AZ, Appointment to Accreditation Commit- Newsletter Changes: The adult newslet- from June 19-21, 2014. Our courses will tee: Christa Donofrio: Debi moved to ter is being revised and renamed. The be held on June 18th. The field trip will appoint Christa to the Accreditation Com- new name will be “Cat Tales” and it will be to Out Of Africa Parke in Camp Verde, mittee, seconded by Lynn. Motion carried feature one of our committees in each on Friday. Kevin moved to accept the issue, have an article of interest 2014 convention to be in Scottsdale, AZ. SAVE THE DATE! for members, and will be a Lynn seconded the motion. The motion place where we can market and carried with 6 yes votes, 0 no votes. Start making your summer plans now! FCF Convention 2014 will take place in the desert oasis of Scottsdale Cotton- woods Resort & Suites Hotel in beauti- DonationsDonations ful Arizona. Join us for FCF education- The FCF Board of Directors thanks the following individuals and al courses, expert speakers, and, as corporations who have made donations to FCF projects since the last always, lots of playful kittens! Our Fri- published Journal, providing additional funding for educational mate- day fieldtrip will be hosted by the Har- rials for members and legislators, supporting conservation, and risons, at the amazing Out of Africa improving captive feline welfare. Park, in Camp Verde, which promises to be a BIG We appreciate each donation, no matter the amount, recognizing that SPLASH! it is the many small gifts that, when combined, add up and make a dif- So, mark ference in the effectiveness of the FCF. We encourage everyone to fol- your cal- low this example and donate funds for projects that interest you. enders for Conservation June 19th Grants: General Fund: General Fund: through 21st, Pat Callahan Gayle Bilsland Capital One 2014, Gayle Bilsland Lisa Padula Mary Ellen Carlin NOW! Diane Sanders Susan Goodman Dean Harrison We can’t wait to The FCF appreciates your generosity & see you continued support. all again!

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2424 1212 The mission of the FCF is to support the conservation of wild felids by advocating for qualified individuals to own and to pur- sue husbandry of wild felines, providing expertise and material support to ensure the continued welfare and viability of these populations, contributing to research, and funding protection programs that benefit felids living in nature.

Front Cover: Zoobotanico Jerez Zoo and Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest parks in Spain. With a special emphasis on Iberian fauna, it is the only public exhibit for Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Iberian lynx are in danger of September/October 2013 Volume 57, Issue 5 extinction. Multiple factors creating this dramatic situation include poaching, trapping, poisoning, destruction of their natural habitats and main food source, rabbits, and even auto collisions. Photographer Fred Hood captured this rare image of their signature cat along with many other felines during a European tour of facilities. Read more about it in this Journal starting on page 13.

Back Cover: Aben, a Canada lynx, enjoys a scratch under the chin. This beautiful and super friendly cat came to the NOAH Feline Conservation Center as a young adult and tragically passed away October 28, 2013, from chronic renal failure. Lynn Culver shares this account starting on page 38. Photographer Eden Tran visited the facility last year and captured this moment between Aben and Bart Culver.

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