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MATURANGO MUSEUM 100 E. LAS FLORES AVE., RIDGECREST, CA 93555 PHONE 760-375-6900, FAX 760-375-0479

SPRING FIELD TRIP Saturday, April 25, 2015

WHERE: Rosemond’s “ House” - special “Twilight Tour” of the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound; With Naturalist Janet Westbrook

HOW: 3:10 p.m. meet at the Museum for check in and departure at 3:15 p.m.; participants will be required to sign liability waiver. Car caravan will be organized and carpools encouraged based on when you want to be home and dinner plans. OR: by prior arrangement, meet us at the Compound just before 5 p.m. (you could go shop in Lancaster, then come back to the Compound) Call Janet! 375-8371

COST: $35 members, ($60 for 2 adults) $40 nonmembers, ($70 for 2 adults) This includes $20 entrance fee for the special tour. The member price applies to members only, not nonmember guests. Family members encouraged.

NEEDED: Full tank of gas, car and tires in good running order. Usual dress code for field trips applies: hat, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing, water, camera, binoculars. It's spring and evening- be ready for any kind of weather! No need for flashlights. It’ll get cool after the sun sets! We’ll be there from 5 until about 7-7:30 p.m. - you leave when ready.

Trip Description: You may visit the compound daily except Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., entrance fee required – BUT – only 3 times a year is the whole facility open in the evening! Wonderful Web page with list of all their - http://www.cathouse-fcc.org/genInfo.html And Facebook page with lots of photos - https://www.facebook.com/pages/EFBCs-Feline- Conservation-Center/159728104075035

“Home to over 70 of the world's most endangered felines, EFBC's Feline Conservation Center is a breeding zoo and research facility. Founded in Rosamond, California in 1977, we are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization run entirely on public donations.” You’ll have a chance to join their membership, or do it on-line.

“During the day, most of the compound is open for visitors to wander around at their own pace. There are at least 25 cats on display. The new tiger compound exhibit is open and occupied. Informative plaques describe the cat species in detail, and docents are available to answer your questions. Unlike a zoo, the FCC has no moats between you and the . Visitors can get as close as 5 feet away from these beautiful (but dangerous) cats. You can get very nice photos.“

“Special evening open houses called "Twilight Tours" are held three times a year (spring, summer, and fall), on Saturday evenings. The only time the compound is open in the evening, the cats are much more active, and we give them all enrichment items. Also, visitors can wander around all parts of the compound that are not open to visitors during the day. This is because Twilight Tours are restricted to adults only (18 and over).” There is an admission fee of $20 per person (which is included in your Field Trip fee) . 70+ feline residents include 19 species: tiger, jaguar, , , pallas' cat, , ocelot, bobcat, Canada , Geoffroy's cat, margay, , jungle cat, , cat, , clouded leopard, snow leopard, and 4 of . Some have had kittens! I will prepay, because they will let prepaid people enter first. Doors open at 5 pm and you may stay until it's dark out. (generally a couple of hours works) There are tables, benches, etc.

There is a bake sale sponsored by FCC's American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) chapter, a raffle, a barbeque by the Rotary club, and other surprises - goldfish in the fishing cat ponds, watermelons for the jaguars ,the big white tiger gets a big box to tear apart (takes him about 15 min) - there's something different every time, and of course lots of beautiful cats to see, hear, and photograph. Other delights include noisy but beautiful peacocks, ground squirrels, parrots, etc. There is an amazing Gift Shop with all things cat!

Cancellation policy: If the Museum cancels your trip, you will be given a full refund or you may transfer the money to a different trip. No cash refunds will be given if you cancel. However, if the trip is full and we can sell your space, your money will be refunded. Please notify the Museum if you cancel ASAP so we don’t wait for you!

Do NOT use GPS – it’s not correct!!

From Hwy 14; from Mojave, take the 14 south to Rosamond. There is only 1 Rosamond exit, which is also the exit for Edwards Air Force Base. From Lancaster, come north to the Rosamond Exit, head west. Exit Rosamond Blvd. and go west. Go 3.5 miles to Mojave-Tropico Road; there is a stop sign, and our large colorful sign on the corner. Turn right, go about 1 mile to Rhyolite Rd, and turn left. (another sign). EFBC's driveway begins where Rhyolite ends- straight ahead to the west - it’s dirt, keep going straight ahead to the parking area.

Wait – we’ll enter as a group at 5 p.m. Find me as I’ll have the “magic password” for you - I will have paid your entrance fee from the Field Trip fees…..