Gunther Gebel-Williams wins the love and loyalty of both animals and audiences with overpowering charisma and stunning showmanship in the all-new 107th Edition of ~inglinq'Bros. and Barnum 6 Bailey Circus. Branch Representatives

A.C.E.C. - Bob Smith, President, P.O. Box 26G, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (213) 621-4635 CANADA - Terry Foreman, Coordinator, R.R. #12, Dawson Rd., Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada P7B 5E3 CASCADE - Shelley Starns, Rt. 1 Box 1623, Yelm, WA 98597 (206) 894-2684 L.I.O.C. OF CALIFORNIA - Lora Vigne, 22 Isis St., San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 552-3748 FLORIDA - Ken Hatfield (Acting President) 1991 S.W. 136 Ave., Davie, Florida 33325 (305) 472-7276 GREATER NEW YORK - Arthur Human, 32 Lockwood Ave., Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 866-0484 PACIFIC NORTHWEST - GayIe Schaecher, 10715 S.E. Orient Dr., Boring, OR 97009 (503) 633-4673 SOUTHWESTERN - Rebecca Morgan, President, P.O. Box 144, Carrollton, TX 75006 (214) 241-6440 LONG ISLAND OCELOT CLUB EXOTIC /GEORGIA Klass, President, 4704 NEWSLETTER - Brownsville Rd., Powder Springs, GA 30073 (404) 942- 3809 Published bimonthly by Long Island Ocelot Club, 1454 Fleetwood OREGON EDUCATIONAL EXOTIC FELINE CLUB - Drive East, Mobile, Alabama 36605. The Long Island Ocelot Club is a Barbara Wilton, 7800 S.E. Luther Rd., Portland, OR non-profit, non-commercial club, international in membership. devoted to the welfare of ocelots and all other exotic felines. 97206 (503) 774-1657 Reproduction of the material in this Newsletter may not be made without written permission of the authors and/or the copyright owner L.I.O.C. LIOC Officers PLEASE KEN HATFIELD, PRESIDENT, 1991 S.W. 136 Ave., Davie, lorida 33325 (305) 472-7276 SHARE -THEL HAUSER, VICE PRESIDENT, 14622 N.E. 99 St.. Van- Juver, WA 98662 (206) 892-9994 Happy times SHELLEY STARNS, SECRETARYITREASURER, P.O. BOX 99542. Tacoma, WA 98499 (206) 894-2684 Sad Times LIFE DIRECTORS Helpful hints CATHERINE CISIN - Founder, Amagansett, N.Y. 11930 (516) 267-3852 Questions KEN HATFIELD - (See above) photos ROGER HARMON, 405-C E. Pinecrest, Marshall, TX 75670 (214) 938-61 13 Y(OSSr31^ ART MICHAEL BALBO, 21-01 46th St., Long Island City, N.Y. 11105 or just your TERM DIRECTORS WILLIAM BOYLE, 611 N. Carr St., Tacoma, WA 98403 (206) random 383-261 6 LEN PARKER, 17455 S.E. Washington Court #26, Portland, OR thoughts 97233 JEAN TOWNES, P.O. Box 523, Fremont, CA 94537 (408) 241- 5565 SHIRLEY TREANOR, (Editor) 1454 Fleetwood Dr. E., Mobile, AL 36605 (205) 478-8962 Days - Emergency (205) 433-5418 - REGISTRAR  REBECCA MORGAN, P.O. Box 144, Carrollton, TX 75006 (214)   MOVING? - 241 -6440  a : To avoid missing any Newsletters if you should move, @send your change of address as soon as you know the details to : Submitting Material for Publication our Membership Secretary: a    Material for publication in the Long Island Ocelot Club  Shelley Starns Newsletter should be submitted by the 10th of the month P.O. Box 99542 preceding Newsletter publication, i.e. by the 10th of the even num-  Tacoma, WA 98499 0- bered months.  Local groups are advised that. if convenient, the holding of 0 Please send all applications and membership renewals directly to :  meetings during the odd numbered months will ensure the earliest a- Shelley for fast service. a publication time of their meeting reports due to the above  deadline. 0 Send all Newsletter and related material to the Editor, Thanks! : BEHRYIOR OF THE mRRGflY

By: Michael K. Petersen

This is a continuation of an article begun in The margays were also capable of ricochet- the previous issue. Dr. Petersen is an LIOC member ing several times while in mid-air between objects with a ph.D. in Mammaloqy. This is a condensed such as walls and edges of tables. This ability version of the technical paper oriqinally printed to immediately change directions to the horizontal in The I~yorld'sCats - conkributioni g Bioloqy, from a previous vertical pattern has been thorough Ecolo , Behavior and Evolution, Vol 3, NO. 2: ly discussed for ring-tailed cats by Trapp (1973). Editedbv R. L- ato on, Carnivore ~esearchInstitute, If the margays were to jump down onto an object Seattle, WA. 98196. such as myself, they could either land very hard or almost imperceptibly softly depending on their Some behvioral observations and most of the litera- current mood. The presence of many rafters, logs, ture references have been omitted, to conserve space. and pipes as well as numerous hiding places Dr. Petereen observed the margays here for five years appeared to psycologically benefit both animals. Very little pacing was evident as compared to the pacing which is evident by many cats housed EXPLORATORY BEHAVIOR: Exploratory behavior in in relatively bare units of similar size. familiar surroundings (their room) was minimal, con- sisting of a brief routine walk around the room INDIVIDUAL PLAY: As in many captive wild at irregular intervals. A cursory sniff of various felids, margays seem to remain playful through- objects seemed to suffice. However, if the cats out their lives. This contrasts with the house were placed in a strange room, most exploration cat and feral wild species which generally out- was oriented in an upward direction. For example, grow" their playfullness within a year after a cat would stand on its hind legs while placing birth. The cats in the present study were its forepaws against a refrigerator, slowly sniff- attracted to simple, light-weight toys such as ing the air and then jump to the top of the app- wooden spools, pieces of denim, leather or liance. After sniffing the top of the refriger- feathers. They almost invariably playedif the ator, it would stand on its hind legs and place opportunity was presented. The margays invented" its forepaws against the wall while looking towards games such as dropping a ball from a chair to the ceiling. This is not surprising when one chase its bouncing actions or "fishing" for a considers that the margay is probably the most ball through the rungs of a magazine rack. abboreal of all cats. Much of the exploratory Moving toys were chased until a cat was exhausted. behavior was olfactory, consisting of slow, deli- herate, loud sniffing of objects and of the floor, If a spool were tossed in the air by myself, ile following a zig-zag pattern. Frequently, the a margay was capable of catching it with both imals paused and crouched, paricularly if they paws simultaneously and drawing it into the 1 'rd strange noises. mouth before the cat landed on the floor. Other objects were tossed in the air by the cat, and The cats were always curious when a strange, either caught before they hit the floor, or inanimate object was placed in their room, or chased across the floor by hitting the object if a familiar object was not in its "proper" place. back and forth between the forepaws. When the The objec: was generally approached very slowly spool was repeatedly thrown across the floor, and cautiously. Body posture was very stiff-backed the female constantly retrieved it for up to while the tail was arched at the base, pilo-erected a ;?alf an hour. She would beg (meow)if it was and curle~ido-nnxard except for the distal 3 inches not immediately thrown each time. The male which were again curled upward. The body was displayed no interest in retieving any objects. oriented at an angle about 10 degrees from its longitudinal central axis, while the haunches were PROBLEM SOLVING: In the following elevated slightly above the shoulders. This gave accounts, an attempt will be made to demon- the cat a larger appearance. Herein, this reaction strate some of the problem solving ability will be referred to as rho "suspicions" response. that the margays possess. Neither cat had previous experience with these three situations. JL?:PISG & CLIMBING: The acrobatic and climbing abilities of the margays have been des- One of the female's favorite toys was a cribed by Leyhause (1963). Partially responsible small wooden spool. The male ignored this toy for this ability is the mobility of the ankle joint unless it was thrown in the air. When the aathor which allows for supination through 180 degrees. placed the spool under a small, inverted waste- ~husthe zargay can grasp a branch equally well basket, both cats displayed immediate interest with fore and hind paws. Climbing up a tree was in removing the spool from under the wastebasket. accomplished in typical cat fashion, but climbing Within 30 seconds the male gave up and left. The down a tree was done head first. female walked around the wastebasket several times, pausing at intervals. She initially I have observed the cats to jump 8 feet attempted to locate the spool visually'and ola- straight in the air and 12 feet horizontally when factorily. Within one and a half minutes she frightened. Normally, they did not exert themselves began trying to overturn the wastebasket with to this degree. If a rope were placed in the air her front paws, succeeding in doing so within horizantally between two points, a cat would jump another 30 seconds. Upon repeating the experi- from a distance of 6 feet projecting its body over r,~ent,the female was able to locate the spool the rope. The paws and claws of the front limbs within 30 seconds. After a second repitition, fully extended, the tail acting as a rudder. The she could locate this toy within a few seconds. cat then contacted the rope in the belly region after it was hidden. The male showed brief or on the forearms. All four paws then grasped interest each time the spool was located. Ye rope as the cat's momentum and gravity caused s body to end bottom side up. The cat would Another toy which attracted both cats was -Â¥release its grip with the front paws, hang a small hollow, cardboard drum attached to the .entarily by the hind feet, swing back & forth end of a recoiling spring. The opposite end i^i,ce or twice and then drop to the floor. of the spring had a suction cup for attachment of the entire toy to a smooth surface. If this toy were fastened to the side of a deep the cats would initially box with the moving simple meow Due cne ronner was axwayo cardboard end. Shortly, they became curious initiated and terminated very abruptly about the toy's mode of attachment to the and was more hollow sounding. ' 'zer. Subsequently (within several minutes) 4. Moaning - occurred when a cat was extreme- attempted to remove the toy by scratching ly hungry. Moaning usually began as a biting at the suction cup. In conjunction simple meow but then graduated to a raspy, plaintive cry. The sound effects . . searching out sources, if a toy were displayed for a cat and then hidden in the were somewhat intermediate between a author's pocket, the cat diligently searched meow and a semi-growl. for the object until it was located. A house 5. Hissing - occurred when a cat was exhibit- cat would generally give up almost immediately ing threat behavior. The sound effects after its toy were concealed. were similar to, but louder than, the hiss elicited from a house cat. A third display of intelligence involved 6. Spitting - occasionally occurred in conjun- location of an object by an indirect method. tion with hissing. Frequently, the Both cats were on the floor at the time a female would spit at me when my back piece of denim was placed on a pipe 8 feet was turned. This followed occassions above. The male imeediately jumped to the top when the cats stomach was tickled. The of the washing machine where he paused, tilted Spit was similar to that of a house cat. his head back and forth several times, and then 7. Growling - occurred when a cat was hungry, leaped six (6) feet upward and diagonally to angery, or exhibiting threat behavior. grasp the denim. When the experiment was the growl of a margay is more gutteral immediately repeated, the male cat again jumped and "throaty" than that of a house cat. to the washer, cocked his head, but hisitated to 8. Snarling - this vocalization was made only jump. During this intervening period the female when a cat was hungry, and then infre- climbed a nearby post (recall that she had rickets quently. The snarl was intermediate in as a kit and thereby could not jump as well as tone between a growl and a meow, and the male), walked over several pipes and dragged generally occurred while the mouth was the cloth beyond the male's jumping range. The wide open or when the animal was lick- male, observing these actions, jumped down from ing its chops. the washer, paced back and forth on the floor several times while looking at the female, climb- ed up the post and stole the denim from her. The cats may have been using a high-order be- havior: both became aware they could not jump a certain distance, and subsequently used an alter- nate, more simple method of locating an object.

COMMUNICATION:- The cats were observed to communica?<-withone another through the media of vision, olfaction, audition and tactility. VISUAL: When the cats were at opposite ends ob ob one occasionally seemed to appear strange to the other. This was most noticable if the former was in an abnormal body position while staring at the other. Lighting was generally poor and/or vision was partially obstructed at this time. The suspicious animal would elicit three or four "barking" meows while advancing slowly toward the stationary individual. The body posture of the advancing animal was similar to that described in "Exploratory Behavior" when an cat approached a strange inanimate object. Once the cats were near one another, naso-nasal and cheek to cheek contact was follow- ed by occasional neck to neck rubbing. Shcaller Different emotional states were evident from (1967) states that rubbing body part of one cat varying intensities and combina:i:zs of these basic on another is an expression of friendliness. vocalizations. For example, a very short, high- Total contact time by the margays was never more pitched, soft meow was given jus: after the cat had than 10 seconds. The animals then went in oppo- awakened. A normal meow occured if the cat was site directions. If both cats simultaneously moderately hungry. A more harsh aeow sometimes mixed appeared suspicious looking to one another, with a growl was noticeable if a cat was "pestered" they both walked toward each other exhibiting while in the act of grooming. the postures, vocalizations and facial contacts described above. I observed xenophobic behav- SOCIAL PLAY ior approximately once every week to two weeks. Other postures are described under "Social Play" Although these cats were very tame with the and "Threat and Agression". author, they exhibited the "f1ig:::y" tempennent possessed by most margays; they liquid startle at AUDITORY: The margays comunicate their certain slight sounds or motions. Xany people agree emotions through various types of vocalizations that in general, the large cat sy-ecies have less They exhibited eight distinct vocalizations. nervous dispositions. Captive c~slotstend to be more calm than captive margays. 1. Purring - an expression of contentment or friendliness. The was much deeper Play between the cats was either spontaneous and rougher than that of a house cat. or elicited. Occasionally, whez. 'rc-:h cats were near one another, one would suEe=^.7pounce upon 2. Meowing - Elicited in order to gain atten- the other and begin wrestling. :Issing and biting tion or during curiosity and hunger. the face and body became quite "n-;:rous although Meows resembled those of a no appreciable injuries were eyi-ie::. A slightly but were lower in pitch and somewhat tom ear (male) and a bitten h-2: =av (female) were sharper in tone. the only wounds detected. Ewer ^.+73) states that 3. Barking Meow - Used when one cat was sus- play in most carnivores is never :zrried on with picious of another or of a human. The the full strength that is CO~~X: 2 killing actions barking meow was similar in pitch to a by these animals. I> In some instances, one cat would stalk the Both cats seemed to relish being scratched on other for a short time and then make a dash. This the chin, rubbed vigorously on the back or bounced 311d result in several chases from one end of the on my knee. These attentions caused purring and Jm to the other or end in a lively tussle. Some partial closing of the eyes. The male (hand-raised) - :ounters were preceded by "boxing" while standing was prone to suck my finger while being held up- the hind feet. Boxing was accompanies by slight side down. He would lay both ears back, partially nead shaking, feigning attacks and laying back the close his eyes and purr loudly. The cats engaged ears. Biting was usually directed toward the face, in various types of play behavior with me, includ- neck and shoulders. The hind feet of one cat were ing wrestling, and chases around the room. Biting used to free a mouth grip by the other. Social and clawing were well controlled, the cats had play was observed about once every three or four been disciplined as to restrain the power davs . of such actions while involved in play with me.

THREAT & AGGRESSION SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS Threat behavior was commonly exhibited under The behavior of two captive margays (Felis two conditions: 1) possessiveness of food & toys, wiedii) was observed for five years. Their be- and 2) if certain strange persons approached too havior was generally typical of most felids. closely (within 5 feet). Threat was given by Individual behavioral variation occurred in the both cats toward each other and toward housecats, two cats; but the following types of behavior dogs & humans. Leyhausen (1960) distinguished could be described as characteristic for these between aggressive and defensive threat of differ- margays: the extreme acrobatic and arboreal tend- ent cats with respect to facial expressions and encies, the somewhat nervous or "flighty" disposi- body posture. The margays basically followed tion, certain responses to odors, and a unique these patterns - e.g. during a defensive threat display of suspicion toward strange, inanimate of high intensity, the canines are exposed, the objects. No information exists on margays' so- corners of the mouth pulled back, ears flattened cial behavior in the wild, particularly in regard and the pupils large. Long, low, drawn-out growls to whether or not they are solitary animals. Two and occasionally hissing were emitted. In aggress- extreme degrees of social behavior have been dem- ive threat, the mouth was either open or closed, onstrated for other.felids. Captive margay behav- the ears erect and twisted so that the white spots ior indicates that these cats could potentially were displayed and the pupils small. Intense exist in social units in the wild. However, many growling and frequent hissing took place. of their communicatory systems and exhibitions of some components of territorial behavior certain- INTERSPECIFIC INTERACTIONS: Both cats reacted ly suggest that this species would tend to be somewhat forcefully to strange does and house cats solitary except during the mating season. If a dog or housecat were outside the win- dow of the margays room, the latter (after a brief sniffing at the strange animal) would repeatedly jump at the window, landing horizontally on the hardware cloth each time. The mouth was oriented a position which would potentially inflict ¥agto the "victim's" throat. - **SNOW LEOPARD - Continued If the author's dog (a male Norwegian elkhound) were brought into the room, the cat briefly observed "The Pakistan population is put at about 100, despite the animal from a high perch, jumped to the floor so that country's rather small share of the Himalayas that they were separated by approximately six (6) and there is no doubt that in Pakistan the species is feet and slowly make a suspicious approach while under such severe hunting pressure that its future constantly sniffing in the dog's direction. The dog survival is critically endangered". would wrinkle its nose, bare its canines, and bark and rush at the cat if the -latter approached too "The legal position is most unsatisfactory because th< close. If a cat were rushed, it reared back on its snow leopard is not accorded even game status. so it hind legs and slapped the dog's nose. Claws were may be hunted without a license and without limit. usually not extended at this time. Both cats re- Skins which do find their way into the hands of trade] are difficult to moniter. and it is anyones guess whai peatedly teased the dog (by nipping the latter on the It is hind quarters) until it gave chase. This situation percentage of the yearly kill they represent. was generally more play for the felines than for the significant. however, that in 1969-71 a furrier in Peshawar usually had some 15 to 20 whole skins. Since canine. A mutual respect seemed to exist between it is the margays and elkhound - serious conflicts never he is far from being theonly man in the trade. developed. The three animals were familiar with one clear that the present offtake is very much higher another from the time all were young; they had been that a total population of certainly no more than a regularly placed together approximately once a week. few hundred can possible withstand for long? Ewer (1973) and Smithers (1968) discuss the The Red Data Book states that. "In China the mating affection that some species of wild cats can hold season is from March to May with a gestation period of 93-110 days. Cubs generally born between the for humans. The margays in the present report were The average no exception. Upon entering the room I was frequent- middle of May to the beginning of June. ly greeted by their jumping into my arms or onto number in a litter is three to four. my shoulders. Following the greeting, they licked my face and rubbed their chins on my head while Since the beginning of 1977 the AAZPA (American purring. The "suspicious" (xenophobic) response Association of Zoological Parks & Aquariums.) has was also occasionally elicited by me, especially listed the births of thirty (30) young to adult if I stared at a cat, made a strange facial snow leopard in captivity with the average litter expression or assumed a strange body posture. All size being three. reactions and movements were similar to those des- cribed when one cat was uncertain of another's Despite its spots and name. some accounts claim identity. I could also approach a cat by naso- that the snow leopard is not a true leopard at nasal contact. This was followed by a cat lower- all, but a separate species with characteristics of -; its ears and briefly rubbing its ears and both the big and small cats. It is said to repre- efly its cheek or forehead on some part of my sent an evolutionary bridge between the t-m branches - e in a gesture of friendliness. Purring often of the feline family. i.-~ompanied this action. Ears were lowered while a cat was petted on the head. The cats seemed Leopard or not, this feline is unnistakingly beauti- particularly affectionate if I had been absent for ful. Hopefully it will not go the way of other several days. rare animals - extinction. aS@ U@ P0

2. We do not wish to compete with or replace the ~mericanmciationof Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA) . 3. We do not receive support from or front for any parent organization.

There has been formed another organization to We do not support the elimination of regu- perhaps coordinate the now many groups concerned 4. with Federal regulation of exotic animals. This lated huntinigrams. group, the National Association for Sound Wild- 5. We do not support any individual or organi- life Programs (NASWP) hopes to present a united zation thathass their foundation of operation, front by speaking with the voice of all of us - emotionalism untempered by fact. the bird fanciers, the snake folks, the simians (monkey collectors), etc. Because as your 6. We do not favor a total restriction of Editor, I feel this is something that is badly animal importation. needed, reprinted below is a message from NASWP President, John D. Parrott, DVM putting 7. We do not'support the misuse of or mistreat- forth some of their ideas and goals. ment of animals. NASW puts out 6 newsletters a year covering care of all exotics, pertinent legislation, etc. HOWEVER : Individual membership rates are $15.00 a year. 1. We do favorthe preservation of the individ- And you may reach them by writing: ual's rightof free choice as to the animals he or she may breed and raise. NASWP 2455 N.E. 184th Terrace 2. We do endorse and encourage the maximum Miami, Fl. 33160 use of humane housing and management practices wherever animals are kept. am sure that there will be more discussion o\ o\ 'SWP at convention this year and we will of 3. We do support the minimum regulation of contiie keep you posted. exotic animz "" wherever the regulations are based on fact and not emotion. Ee5' i.e. The housing of large exotic cats (lions, leopards, jaguars .) in residential areas is not encouraged. The housing of smaller exotic cats (which pose no more When the National Association for Sound Wild- problems than domestic cats) is accept- life Programs was formed, our primary goal was to able. provide a point around which the private breeder- hobbyist could rally. It was and is our contention that the individual men and women who raise and 4. We do support zoological institutions for breed animals as a hobby contribute significantly public education, research and propagation centers. to the fight for the preservation of our wild 5. We do support the exchange of information animal and plant resources. between allpeople whenever this exchange will Unfortunately in the past these same people increase the chances for survival of any and all have been forgotten or ignored whenever programs wild animal and plant species. have been initiated that are designed to encourage wildlife preservation. NASWP hopes to right this 6. We do encourage the preservation of our injustice. natural environment. While we represent the private breederlhobbyist, 7. We do encourage the private propagation we do not wish to exclude any individual or organ- of all wildanimal and plant species in captivity ization that shares our common goal. As stated in in order to help insure their survival. the NASW constitution the objective of the associa- tion shall be to "encourage and support programs I hope that this will help clear up some of both public and private, that are dedicated to the the questions you may have had concerning NASW'S preservation and propagation of all wildlife species. stand on these issues. If you still feel unsure, The Association recognizes and endorses the signif- feel free to write for further clarification on icant and ongoing contributions made to wildlife whatever question you might have. programs by responsible hunting, fishing, conserva- tion and zoological organizations." The National Association for Sound wildlife Programs cannot be all things to all people. What we want tobe is an organization of and for Becuase of the nature of people to distrust You may not agree with all *he unknown and because of the number of inquiries the private breeder. eived requesting additional information about of our positions, but if you agree with most of gtand on various issues, perhaps now is the them please support your organization for the preservation of all the wild animals and plants i to state our position. of the world. 1. We do not favor the abolition of zoological John D. Parrott, institution? D.V.M. SNOW LEOPARD

OREGON-EDUCRTTOHflL-E XOTIC FELINE CLUB MEETING REPORT Barbara called the meeting to order and Jon Dyer By Shelley Starns read minutes & treasurer's report . A letter from Jean Morton was read and we voted in three new members: Robert Chism, Shiley Malar, and Dennis & Roxanne The snow leopard (Panthera unica) has long been an Hans en. admired member of the feline family. Many say "Once" (as it is often called) with its long, thick, almost Ethel made the motion that letters be sent to all wooley fur is the most beautiful in the cat family. new members welcoming them to the club. We are all The beauty of its plush fur has caused the snow glad Joanne Parks is back. leopard to be long sought after by hunters and fur traders, which may be a major factor in its extreme Barbara has ordered tickets for the LIOC raffle. rarity. It is estimated that no more than 400-600 Donnetta will make some flyers to send to all Branches. animals exist in the wild today. Pat Parker is getting a watch as another prize and Mark Church will checkstuffed animals at a carnival supply In 1968 the Survival Science Committee Red Data book house. lists the snow leopards distribution as "...essenti- ally an inhabitant of high mountains, and is found The Jr. Club had their first meeting on May 6th on a-1 the elevated ranges of Central Asia, occurr- and elected their officers who are: ing not only in the neighborhood of the snowy range Coordinator - Mike Parker of the Himalayas, as well as in Ladak and Tibet, Coordinator - Todd Carver but extending in a north-westerly directio to Gilgit, Secretary - Tina Westfall Hunza and Nagar and being likewise met with in Treasurer - Marke Church. Jr. Turkestan,Trans-Baikalia, Amurland, and North-West- ern China. The following, edited by Mr. Nigel The parents agreed that Tuesday evenings would Sitwell, was written in the publication "ANIMALS" be the most convenient for the Jr. Meetings. egarding the snow leopard in Pakistan: "The tide nay be turning for the snow leopard - but its future Ethel announced the next speakout as May 24th LS definitely still in jeopardy. It is protected in at Butternut Elementary in Hillsboro. Members attendin1 India, and its skin may not be exported from Pakis- were: Ethel Hauser, Barbara Wildton, Don. Donnetta tan; it is protected throughout its range in the and Rachel. Soviet Union. Nevertheless, it is a creature that is little known and certainly very rare, and may Barbara reported on the proposed California laws still become extinct in the wild despite recent to ban exotics. There wasn't time to notify everyone, moves. so she sent in 15 cards supplied by Jane Sandmeier and wrote letters from the club to each Alderman. At the "Found in the mountain ranges of central Asia, the California meeting the chairman announced no decision snow leopard is patchily distributed in the Soviet could be reached at that time but after everyone left. Union, China, India, Mongolia, Pakiston and Afgani- they had a vote and passed it. They claimed they only stan. It inhabits the Himilayas, Pamirs, Hundu received 20 letters. Jane Sandmeier told Barbara that Kush, Tian Shan, and Altai mountains. It tends to all such letters should have a cc designation with live in the regions between the tree-line (somewhere copies plus a file copy. around 12,000 feet) and the permanent snow (perhaps 18.000 feet), and descends into the upper valley The date for the Exotic at the wiltons bottoms in the winter months. It is reportedly was set for July 16. Since this should be a business very rare and uncommon in every area that it inhab- meeting, Leonard suggested the business meeting be its. held another time.

"In Pakistan snow leopards largely subsist on Jackie reported on convention plans. She & Dennis markhor, ibex, and urialall of which are still are going to be gone about 3 weeks. Anyone else plentiful - probably supplemented by pikas, snow- interested in going on an extended tour should con- cocks, and other birds and small animals. They tact Jackie and get their reservations made. must also feed on musk deer, which are usually found in the birch and willow zone above the The Dates for the Sequin meeting were set as forest edge. Farther east, where there are no June 24 & 25. The majority wanted to come home the markhor or arial, the blue sheep must largely 25th via Shelley's and attend the picnic. replace them in the snow leopard's diet. Every- where they take domesitc sheep and goats whenever those animals are not guarded effectively at night. "Estimates of numbers for this species are largely guesswork, but a realistic figure might be no more than 400-600. In addition, there are some 90 or so in zoos around the world. Because of its strip distribution, it must always have been much less common than the ordinary leopard, even in the Himalayas, since the latter can (and did) exist anywhere from tree line down to sea-level. continued on page 5 BORDEN ANNOUNCES Kittens that are bottle reared or motner- raised who begin to eat the mothers food may lie introduced to Weaning Formula by adding a small quantity to the KMR or milk to make a KITTEN WEANING thin gruel. Gradually increase the quantity of Kitten weaning Formula to give a thicker gruel. FORMULA The feeding schedule below can be used when the kittens are 6 weeks old.

Those of you who attended the Houston Convention TOTAL DAILY RATION PER KIT QUANTITY OF DRY may remember Dr. Bill Monson who spoke to us from WEIght of Kitten - lbs. KITTEN WEANING Borden's. At that time Dr. Monson mentioned a new FORMULA PER DAY product which he believed we would find useful in raising our kits. That product. Kitten Weaning For- . 2 tbsp. mula has now been released and below is some infor- . 114 cup . 1/3cup nation released by Borden's. . 113 rounded cup. Borden's Kitten Weaning Formula has been com- . 112 cup pounded to meet the needs for weaning the young . 213 cup kitten from the queen's milk and in getting the orphaned, bottle fed kitten onto solid food. The Use standard household measures - mix with one to fine meal-type formula lends itself to easy mixing two volumes of water or other suitable liquid to with liquid (KMR, water or other suitable liquids) give the desired consistency. These quantities are to give the consistency necessary for good food guidelines, more or less food may be needed by indi- consumption. vidual kittens to satisfy their food requirements for optimum performance. Weigh kittens at least It is recommended that Borden Kitten weaning once a week to monitor weight gain and adequacy of Formula be used until the kittens are ten or eleven feeding . weeks old when they can be fed commercial kitten or as desired. All changes should be mde 1 level tablespoon weighs approximately 6.8 grams. over a period of about one week. 1 level cupful weighs approximately 114.3 grams.

We have been raising kittens on KXR since 1968 During this time we have regularly kept control animals on the Queen. One of our concerns has always been the trans- ition from milk (whether bottle or queen) to a good commercial cat food. We felt there was a place for a fine meal type food that was characterized by high quality protein ~itha good amino acid balance, all grain sources gelatinized, relatively high energy, some fiber to develop good stool consitency, and vitamins and minerals to meet or exceed NRC (Commission on Animal Nutrition of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences ) requirements for growth. The high level of aniral protein fror" fish meal and poultry by-products meal complements the proteins from cereal and soy to give a good anino acid balance including taurine which has recently been identified as essential for cats. The physical form was selected to make it easy to prepare a gruel of whatever consistency would be required to obtain good consumption. Since the Kitten Weaning Formula is complete, the liquid used can be water, milk, KMR, meat broth or whatever is desired. INGREDIENTS As an example the weights of kittens from two Fish meal, soy protein concentrate. Cereal food different litters fed only Kitten Weaning Formula fines, Ground heat processed popcorn, animal fat mixed with water plus free water choice from wean- (preserved with BHT,BHA, propyl-gallate, and citric ing at 6 weeks of age to either 9 weeks or 11 weeks acid), poultry by-products meal, Dried tomato pomacq are documented below. These experiments were used defluorinated phospate, ground limestone, choline to develop the recommended feeding directions. chloride, salt, vitamin E supplement. Natural and- artificial flavors, zinc oxide, Vitamin A supplemeni Results with 2 kittens born 3/17/76 Roboflavin supplement. Calcium pantothenate, copper and weaned on 4/27/76 at 6 weeks of age oxide, Thiamine Hydrochloride, calcium iodate, Vita min D3 supplement. DATE BODY WEIGHT-Grams* #l male #2 Female 4/27 (6 weeks of age) "SCTB" 513 (7 weeks of age) 734 674 5/10 (8 weeks of age) 884 792 5/17 (9 weeks of age) 1035 947 ANIMALS ARE SUCH AGREEABLE FRIENDS;. THEY Average daily gain for 3 week period - 16.9 16.1 ASK NO QUESTIONS. PASS NO CRITICISMS" George Elliot