LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 2

Long Island Ocelot Club, Endangered Spe- ties Conservation Federation. Inc. 3 - This Newsletter is published bimonthly by the LIOC made without the written permission of the original copyright Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. We are a owners andlor copyright owner LIOC. Since the Newsletter nonprofit (Federal I.D. 59-2048618) noncommercial consists primarily of articles, studies, photographs and organization with international membership, devoted to the artwork contributed by our members, we encourage all welfare of exotic felines. The purpose of this newsletter is to members to submit material whenever possible. Articles present information about exotic feline conservation, concerning exotic felines are preferred and gladly accepted. management and ownership to our members. The material Articles involving other related subjects will also be printed in this newsletter is contributed by our members and considered. Letters and responses to articles may be included reflects the point of view of the author but does not in the Readers Write column. Deadline for the next issue is necessarily represent the point of view of the organization. the 1st of even-numbered months. Please submit all material LIOC ESCF, Inc.'s Statement of Intent is contained in our to the Editor. Persons interested in joining LIOC should bylaws, a copy of which can be requested from the Secretary. contact the Term Director in charge of Member Services. Reproduction of the material in this newsletter may not be

Founder: Catherine Cisin Member Services: Kelly Jean Buckley Midwest Exotic Feline Educational Society: Amaganasett, NY 11930 PO Box 22085 Bob 'hrner Phoenix, AZ 85028 1345 Dayhuff Rd. Editor: Marge Maxwell 602-996-5935 Mooresville, IN 46158 PO Box 101 Email: [email protected] 317-831-0817 Bowling Green, KY 42102 Email: [email protected] 502-846- 199 1 Email: liontriumphant@ mindspring.com LIFE DIRECTORS: Pacific Northwest Exotics: J. B. Anderson Dwayne Kaptur OFFICERS: 1825 E. Nashvillle Church Rd PO Box 205 President Barbara Wilton Ashland, M0 65010 Gresham, OR 97030 7800 SE Luther Rd 573-657-4088 Portland. OR 97206 503-774- 1657 John Perry REGIONAL CONTACTS: 6684 Central Ave. NE Canada: Scarlett Bellingham Vice President: George Stowers Fridley, MN 55432 PO Box 722 PO Box 80 612-571-7918 Niverville, Manitoba, ROA IEO, Canada. Lycoming, NY 13093-0080 Email: johntperry @uswest.net 204-388-4845 home and fax 3 15-342-4997 Email- [email protected] Carin C. Sousa Central J. B. Anderson 2960 Bay St. 1825 E Nashville Church Rd Secretary1 Treasurer: Sharon Roe Gulf Breeze. FL 32561 Ashland, M0 65010 29641 NE Timmen Rd. 850-932-6383 573-348-5092 Ridgefield, WA 98642 360-887-8563 Shirley Wagner Northeast:: George Stowers Email: [email protected] 3730 Belle Isle Ln. PO Box 80 Mobile, AL 36619 Lycoming, NY 13093-0080 TERM DIRECTORS: Phonelfax: 334-661- 1342 3 15-342-4997 Advertising & Publicity: Jana Londr6 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 83 1 Parkside Cr. N. Northwest: See Branches Boca Raton, FL 33486 BRANCHES: 561-395-5068 Alliance for the Conservation of Exotic Southeast:: Jean Hatfield Email: [email protected] Felines - Cascade Branch of LIOC: 1991 SW 136th Ave. Marc Watkins Education/Conservation: Davie, FL 33325 2122 8th Ave., N., #402 954-472-7276 Sherry Blanchette Seattle, WA 98109 Meadowsweet Farms, PO Box 25 1 206-285-3507 Lovingston, VA 22949 Southwest: Loreon Vigne 804-263-6652 20889 Geyserville Ave Exotic Feline Educatonal Society. Geyserville, CA 9.5441 Email: [email protected] Ethel Hauser 707-857-3524 14622 NE 99th St. Legal Affairs: Mark Jenkins Vancouver, WA 98682 3071-A University Ave. #I80 360-892-9994 Morgantown, WV 26505 304-328-5703 Email: [email protected] LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 3

1999 LIOC Convention ...... 4 Husbandry Course ...... 6 President's Perspective ...... 7 Endangered Species Threatened by INS Project ...... 8 - Report on AZA Felid TaxonAdvisory Group Meeting...... 10 =Ã Norman's Extraordinary Tale ...... 13 X Onychectomy ...... 16 Rescue of Corky, The Cross-Eyed Cougar ...... 18 Z Notes for a New Employee ...... 20 Third Lynx Dies After Reintroduction ...... 22 Research Request ...... 22

AGENDA ITEMS SOUGHT If you have an item to be discussed at the General membership Meeting, please put it in the form of a motion and submit no later than July 5, 1999 to: Sharon Roe LIOC 2964 1 NE Timmen Rd. Ridgefield. WA 98642

LIOC T-SHIRTS &maL RnderbsWde Sherry BLanchecce KeLLy Jean BuckLey Peggy Hayes Tony a Jones James Peddle George SccnVers 50/50 COTTON - FRUIT OF THE LOOM %-LeyWagner COLOR NATURAL SIZES: MEDIUM, LARGE, XLARGE, XXLARGE Nancy Ward $15.00 EACH Barbara Wibn (Includes Shipping & Handling) Please make checks payable to: for contributions to this newsletter. This DOC ESCF, Inc. is YOUR newsletter. ALL contributions- PO Box 22085 Phoenix. Arizona 85028 new or old, long or short, technical or humorous personal story, article or Visit our Web Sice! advertisement-are welcome and needed. http:/ /www.lioc.org I'll be happy to with writing and/ or editing. Calls, emails, or faxes are Informational contributions may be sent welcome. to George Stowers, Vice Marge Maxwell, Editor President, Email: [email protected] PS: Thanks to Jana Londre and Ken Lockwood Please send computer for your contributions. They did not make it in readable text files (email time for this issue but will be in the next. is fine or ASCII text files on disc.) LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 4

Site Visit to South Dakota for 1999 LIOC Convention by Kelly Jean Buckley the bathrooms, within We visited this rooms wherever they would year's LIOC convention fit. For this reason, all of hosts, Jim and Judy at the rooms are different. Wildcat Valley Resort. Some rooms have only Together they helped to showers, some with tubs familiarize us with the and some with Jacuzzi area and plan for the tubs. The lobby is upcoming LI 0 C decorated with the original" convention. A day of ! brick paved floor and touring was arranged for branded fireplace mantle. August 6. Convention Complimentary fresh hot attendees will enjoy lunch b . , coffee is available each at their place following a b -L.,S~morning in the lobby. The visit to Mt. Rushmore 1 hotel has original art National Memorial. Jim everywhere and a wonderful and Judy have collected gift shop. The month of cat items for years and August is when the Alex they have a great gift Johnson sells out fast, so shop where no two please reserve your rooms spotted things are alike! for the LIOC convention Everyone is welcome to ASAP. See you there! visit Wildcat Valley on their own before, , . during, or after the convention. In the Moglee (top) was a rescued cougar. afternoon, we will make a short shopping A caracal, Shania, and dog friend, Bucket stop in Keystone, South Dakota, and then travel to visit Bear Country, which is a drive through ' Wildlife Park. The Park features 12 groups of animals and a walk 1 through the wildlife center with 1 small animals and park offspring. The evening on this day will be free time. The Hotel Alex Johnson was built when a luxury hotel meant that there was one bathroom on each floor. When the hotel was converted, they placed LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 5

August 4 - 8 at Rapid City, South Dakota

Hotel Alex Johnson CALL 1-800-888-2539 Identify yourself with GROUP #G8 171 to reserve your room for $79.00 each night, occupancy. I The Exotic Cats are Welcome! (Less than 30 pounds) LIOC convention attendees can take advantage of the $79.00 *^ I (left), sundice at 1 room rate if you plan to come a few days 1 wildcat valley 1 early to vacation in Rapid City. The Alex Resort. Johnson requires notice when you make your reservations, as to which cats you are bringing to the convention, and a $50.00 room deposit, $25.00 is non-refundable.

REGISTER for the 1999 LIOC Convention by June Service with a Smile 10. Please send $85.00 A man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a Midwest town he planned to visit on his payment to: vacation. He wrote: "I would very much like to bring my cat with me. He is well-groomed LIOC-ESCF, Inc. and very well behaved. Would you be willing to permit me to keep him in my room with PO Box 22085 me at night?" An immediate reply came from the hotel Phoenix, Arizona 85028 owner: "I've been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I've never had a cat (After June 10 the fee will be steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures off the walls. I've never had to evict a cat in $1 10.00) the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I've never had a cat out NOTE: Please send your choice of on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your cat is Beef or Chicken for the welcome at my hotel. And, if your cat will vouch for you, you're welcome to stay here, Saturday night Banquet. too." LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 6 Wild Feline Husbandry Course A Pre-conference Course at the 1999 LIOC Convention

On August 4, 1999 an eight hour Wild Feline Husbandry Training Course will be held at the Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City, South Dakota.

This course will provide students with the knowledge required to practice responsible captive husbandry of wild felines as set forth in the LIOC- Endangered Species Conservation Federation's Code of Conduct for Private Owners of Wild Felines. Topics that will be covered include the following:

Natural History of Wild Felines Conservation & Regulatory Agencies Permits Facility Design & Handling Equipment Nutrition Health Care Disposition & Handling Behavior Conditioning Contingency Planning

This course is being held the day before, and at the same location, as the LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation's Annual Convention, and is suitable for both novices and "Old Hands" who want improve their level of knowledge. Tuition: $45.00 Payable to: LIOC Cut Off Date: 71 15/99 29641 NE Timmen Rd. Ridgefield, WA 98642 Any questions? Contact the LIOC's Conservation & Education Director, Sherry Blanchette, (804)263-6652 or [email protected] LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April. 1999 7

Have you ever noticed how a lot of The last thing on my list today non-profit corporations put out a wish would be more branches. I recall when list in order to obtain much needed we had branches in New England States, items? There are a lot of items I would Florida, Georgia, Texas, Northern and put on our wish list and the first two Southern California and Oregon/ would be WGAYS and OCELOTS. We Washington. We have gained two hear so much now about saving branches in recent years, one in endangered species. I don't recall any Washington and the Midwest Branch big pushes to save these two particular which covers several states. Wouldn't you species. We do have the knowledge now like to belong to a branch? It is great to to save and reproduce these cats. I wish be able to visit with cat owners who have they would send us a few hundred. so much in common. It is like a mini- Next on my wish list would be convention at every meeting. If you are members. We are making headway in this interested in forming a branch, contact department which is very encouraging. Kelly Jean Buckley in Member Se~ces. Computers and our web site have helped She can supply you with the necessary immensely. It is more difficult now to information and forms. attract people than in the hey-day when See you at our "Big Branch" we could walk our "pets" down the street! Convention in Fbpid City, S.D. in August. There is much more commitment required now. You have to accept the fact that "Uncle Sam" is sitting on your shoulder. You are subject to inspections and regulations and exotic cats are not pets anymore. However, it is not all bad. We all want the best for our cats. They Barbara Wilton, LIOC President need room to run and play or just lay in the sun. They need a room for privacy. They need good food and vitarnins and proper medical care. One thing they don't need is an owner who wants an exotic for the wrong reasons such as protection, status symbol, or a hrfarmer who wants to raise cats for the fur trade. I've seen all these things! LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 8 Fifteen Endangered Species Threatened by INS Project

Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club, and includes Starr, Hildago, and Cameron the Frontera Audubon Society today counties and where the project has announced that they have sent a 60-day already begun construction, is home to notice of intent to sue to the Department more than 2,200 species of plant and of Justice, Immigration and animal, making it one of the most Naturalization Se~ces(INS), and to the biologically diverse regions in the United Army Corp of Engineers regarding the States. The valley also serves as a proposed Operation Rio Grande. The temporary home to thousands of groups contend that the project will ruin migratory birds each season. Only five some of the last remaining habitat for percent of the valley's historic habitat ocelots and j aguarundis, two endangered remains today, most of it lost to human cat species. They filed their notice with encroachment. Fifteen endangered the intent to sue the government for species call the valley home, including violations of the Endangered Species Act ocelots, jaguarundis, Aplomado falcons, (ESA) and the National Environmental and piping plovers. All four of these Policy Act (NEPA) in south Texas. critically endangered species on the brink "INS and the Army Corps have legal of extinction. obligations under the ESA and NEPA that "Fifty miles of floodlights along the they have not lived up to, and we intend Rio Grande will impact everything from to make sure that they do so," said moths and butterflies to birds, bats, and Defenders President Rodger Schlickeisen. cats," said Jim Chapman, Rio Grande "These folks are supposed to be Valley Group Leader for the Sierra Club. protecting us and our borders, not "For INS to say otherwise fies in the faces destroying rare cat habitat." of common sense as well as good science." A project of the INS, Operation Rio Grande proposes to rebuild roads and Schlickeisen agreed and added, burn vegetation and construct fences, b6Jaguarundiand ocelots don't recognize lighting systems, and boat ramps along borders. They need to be able to roam roughly 100 miles of land adjacent to the freely in what little habitat man has left Rio Grande River. INS claims that such for them. Fragmenting this habitat even activities are needed to better monitor further could most surely mean the end drug trafficking and illegal immigration. for these two magnificent creatures and, The groups charge that such quite possibly, for several more species. construction and activities will adversely That's a price too high to pay, and this affect several critically endangered project must stop immediately." species and will disturb important wddlife Defenders and the other groups are habitat on which thousands of plant and asking that all activities associated with animal species rely. Operation Rio Grande cease immediately "All these fences are going to do is until the appropriate measures can be to kill off some of the last remaining wild taken to ensure long-term survival of ocelots and jaguarundis in the region," species in the region. INS has released a said Dr. Melissa Grigione, conservation draft environmental assessment and a biologist with Defenders. biological assessment, but the groups The lower Rio Grande Valley, which charge that both documents are deficient LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - MarchIA~ril,1999 9 and -laden. The groups request that INS obtain a biological opinion from the Rites of Passage U.S. Fish and Wildlife Se~ce,as required by the provisions of the ESA, and prepare Some of the most poignant moments I an environmental impact statement as spend as a veterinarian are those spent with my clients assisting the transition of my animal required by NEPA. patients from this world to the next. When living "We know INS has already started becomes a burden, whether from pain or loss of this project by placing portable lights in normal functions, I can help a family by ensuring places like Brownsville, and they're that their beloved pet has an easy passing. Making this final decision is painful, and I have planning on putting up permanent 1,000 often felt powerless to comfort the grieving watt lights, razor fencing, and electric owners. lines of all kinds," explained Schlickeisen. That was before I met Shane. "INS may be hoping to shed light on the I had been called to examine a ten-year- area, but what they're really doing is old blue heeler named Belker who had developed pushing numerous endangered species a serious health problem. The dog's owners - Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane - further into the shadows of existence." were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and Defenders and the other groups are found he was dying of cancer. being represented in the case by the I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Meyer euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their and Glitzenstein. home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane could learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in Antsy Problems? my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood Try sprinkling used coffee what was going on. grounds around the Within a few minutes, Belker slipped perimeter of your cage. Ants peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept don't like this and will leave. Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after It can't hurt the cat or Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad environment (or the ants for fact that animal lives are shorter than human that matter - they just avoid lives. the area). Don't drink coffee? Shane, who had been listening quietly, Ask your neighbors, family, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. or co-workers to save their What came out of his mouth next stunned me - grounds for you. If your I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. friends and neighbors garden He said, "Everybody is born so that they and have a problem with can learn how to live a good life - like loving rabbits, offer them your litter everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year- old continued, "Well, animals already know how box droppings. Rabbits will to do that, so they don't have to stay as long." avoid a cat's territory. By Robin Downing, D.V.M. Contributed by Shirley from Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Wagner sou1 LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - MarchIA~ril,1999 10

Report on the 1999 Mid-Year Meeting of the AZA Felid Taxon Advisory Group By: George N. Stowers, Vice-president LIOC-ESCF

On March 5-7 I attended the 1999 establishing a private sector database Mid Year Meeting of the AZA Felid Taxon to be shared with ISIS and interested Advisory Group. The meeting was hosted PNWS. this year by Disney's Wild Animal 4 Designated an LIOC member as Kingdom and was held at Walt Disney liaison between the LIOC-ESCF and World in Orlando, Florida. About 125 the Felid TAG. individuals attended the meeting with Other significant activities representation from many AZA undertaken by the LIOC-ESCF this year institutions, individuals involved in wild include: feline research/ conservation, and Initiation of a project to develop a set members from the private sector, of model regulations which can be including Private (non-AZA) Zoos, provided to regulatory agencies Rescue/Rehabilitation, Conservation interested in receiving input from the Breeders, and Individual FWvate Owners. private sector. As was the case last year I was provided Development of a introductory level with the opportunity to make a wild feline husbandry course that presentation on the LIOC-ESCF activities covers the rudiments of responsible du~gthe last year. The report I gave captive husbandry including permits, was well received by the attendees. nutrition, basic health care, facility Following the presentation several design, handling, and contingency individuals from outside the private planning. sector privately expressing appreciation Completion of a survey of injuries and support for our efforts to promote resulting from private captive responsibility in private captive husbandry of non-domestic cats. husbandry. The following summarizes Data was collected during the latter my presentation: part of 1998 via an anonymous During 1998, the LIOC- survey distributed via the LIOC-ESCF Endangered Species Conservation Newsletter, two exotic animal Federation continued its efforts to industry publications, and the promote responsibility in private captive Internet. Completed questionnaires husbandry of wild felines. were received from 126 private In response to recommendations owners with a combined total of over made by the Private Sector Working 5000 cat-years of experience. The Group at the 1998 midyear meeting of data gathered allowed quantVication the AZA Felid TAG the LIOC-ESCF has: of the risk private husbandry 4 Adopted policies that promote presents to the owner, family registration of private sector cats with members/employees, and the general ISIS and the appropriate PMPS, and public in various situations including permanent identification of animals authorized contact, unauthorized using either tattoos or microchips. contact, and escape. Three levels of 4 Purchased a copy of SPARKS from injury severity were recognized; ISIS and is in the process of requiring frst aid, professional care, LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 11 private captive husbandry of non- and fatal. In order to allow domestic cats is less than <1.9 E-4 per comparison to other activities, risk cat-year exposure. The actual risk may was calculated in injuries per cat-year in fact be lower but there was insufficient of exposure. Attachment 1 (page 12) data to make this determination. For summarizes the results. comparison the risk of being fatally injured by a motor vehicle in the U.S. is Conclusion: about 1.8 E-4 per vehicle-year. (Source: Based on the data available as a NHTSA) result of this survey, the risk of injury associated that private captive END OF REPORT husbandry of wild felines appears to be This year the Private Sector was comparable to the risk associated with broken down into two separate Working other more common and widely accepted Groups: One group for the major activities such as ownership of domestic conservation breeders (Penny Andrews - dogs and operation of motor vehicles. Hexagon Farms, Pat Quillan SOS Care, For example, for privately held Joe Maynard - Exotic Feline Breeding non-domestic cats the overall risk of Compound, John Aynes - Oak Hill, injury (to owners, their family/employees, Gordon Blankstine - Mountain View and the general public) requiring Farms Conservation & Breeding Center, professional care is 1.2 E-2 per cat-year Karen Hughes - White Oak Plantation, while for domestic dogs the probability Nancy Schonwalter - Carnivore is 1.5 E-2. (Source: January 1998, Preservation Trust, etc.) and another Journal of the American Medical group the rest of the private sector. I Association). It is postulated that the participated in this second group. The added level of caution normally exercised major focus of this session was to in the handling and containment of non- formally define the various stakeholder domestic cats, beyond that which is groups within the private sector, and normally exercised with domestic dogs, what each group wanted in regard to their accounts for this result. relationship with the AZA. The results The probability of an injury to a of this Working Group session will be member of the general public requiring reported in the newsletter once the professional medical attention was 7.6 E- meeting report has been formally issued. 4 per cat-year. For comparative purposes the probability of an individual other than Cats steep fat, the driver/passenger (general public) And walk thin. Cats, when they sleep, slump, being injured by a motor vehicle is about When they wake, pull in- 1.7 E-2 per vehicle-year. (Source: And where the plump's been National Highway Traffic Safety ^)here's skin. Cats walk then. Administration, NHTSA) No injuries to a member of the general public resulting Cats steep in a rump. from the escape of a privately held non- gump in a streak. domestic cat were reported as part of this Cats when they jump are sleek survey. 4sa grape slipping its skin QTley have a technique No fatalities were reported by those Oh, cats don't creak, responding to the survey. This suggests ^)hey sneak ... the risk of fatal injury resulting from qosalie wore LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 12

Attac1iment 1 LIOC-Endangered Species Conservation Federation Private Wild Feline Captive Husbandry Safety Survey March 1999

CATEGORY ; TOTAL-- I AVG. RISK MAX MIN ...... Responses 126 : ...... - ...... - ...... Cat Years Experience 5241 ...... 41.6 ...... :...... 1: ...... Cat Years Experience with Large Cats 1985 I 15.8 Cat Years Experience with Small Cats ...... :...... 32561 .:1 ...... 25.8 Years of Breeding Experience 2411 1 19.1 ...... Injuries of All Types 635 I 5.0 i i ...... Injuries Requiring First Aid :...... 573 :...... 4.5 ...... Injuries Requiring Professional Care 62 0.5

Fatal Injuries i 01- - 0.0- - ...... :...... : ...... Number of Escapes 75 0.6 ...... Injuries to Owner 491 13.9 Injuries to Family Member/Employee 120 il.O ...... :...... : ...... Injuries to Member of the General Public Resulting from I 17 0.1 Authorized Contact ...... ;...... Injuries to Member of the General Public Resulting- from ! 7 i 0.1 ...... unauthorized Contact :...... : Injuries to Member of the General Public Resulting- from I 0 0.0 ~sca~e ...... Injuries to Owner Requiring First Aid :...... 453. 3.6 ...... Injuries to Owner Requiring Professional Care 38 0.3 Injuries to Family Member/Employee Requiring First I 104 0.8 Aid ...... / ...... Injuries to Family Member/Employee Requiring 16 0.1 ...... Professional Care Fatal Injuries to Family Member/Employee 0 0.0 Injuries to Member of the General Public Resulting from I 13 0.1 Authorized Contact Requiring First Aid ...... :...... Injuries to Member of the General Public Resulting- from I 4 0.0 ~uthorized...... Contact Requiring Professional Care Fatal Injuries to Member of the General Public Resulting- I 0 0.0 from Authorized Contact Injuries to Member of the General Public Resulting from 3 0.0 Unauthorized Contact Reauirinff First Aid Injuries to Member of the General Public Resulting from I 4 I 0.0 ...... Unauthorized Contact Requiring Professional Care Fatal Injuries to Member of the General Public Resulting-. i 0 i 0.0 from unauthorized Contact Injuries to Member of the General Public Resulting from I 0 0.0 Escape Requiring First Aid ...... : Injuries to Member of the General Public Resulting- from 1 0 0.0 ...... ~scapeRequiring Professional Care Fatal Injuries to Member of the General Public Resulting 1 01 : 0.0

* Risk = Injuries per cat-year exposure. LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 13 tried to get under my bed. He was three years Norman's Extraordinary Tale old, 400 plus pounds at the time, but would only come back out once I went up to reassure him. by Nancy Ward Because of this and his dependence on me, Norman became more of a child to me then a I used to publish a magazine called The pet. So, In spite the criticism from all the "expertsn Canadian Conservationist's Journal. It was a who proclaimed he would surely kill me once he small publication geared to sharing information reached two years of age, I continued to allow and education amongst private zoo owners and him to live in my home with me including sleeping keepers of exotic animals. The "Journal" was on my bed with me at night. also frequently involved in providing factual By the time Norman was four years old information to the Canadian press who he was still as gentle as ever and most of the nay unfortunately often would tarnish the integrity sayers who had taken the time to visit my facility, of those keeping exotic species due to were now convinced that he was indeed a very misinformation fed to them by opposing animal special animal. Meeting Norman convinced them rights extremist. We had several victories against that animals can be as 'individual' in these groups and prevented some townships from temperament as humans can be. Everybody who banning exotic animals within their jurisdiction. met him, loved him including my neighbors who I gave up producing the Journal in at first were terrified to have him in the vicinity. January of 1998 primarily due to a personal But my house was getting too small for him to tragedy. I was reading your Nov. /Dec. 1998 issue move around comfortably so I decided to build and I noticed an article in there on winterizing him a comfortable enclosure of his own where he animal dens using pine or cedar shavings (page would have space to be a lion but would still 19) and I felt compelled to write to you to share always be welcome into the house if he chose to my tragedy which involved using pine shavings come in. I also decided to get him a mate. with the hope it may spare somebody else the In the summer of 1997 1 purchased a pain I experienced. female cub for Norman for his fourth birthday. I I have kept various species of exotic felines named her Madison and, unlike Norman, she was and other exotic animals including primates, a full of mischief and energy. Norm tolerated her wolf and numerous parrots at my sanctuary, Lilac and was always careful not to hurt her (as he Grove, for the past 9 years now. had been raised around my Yorkies.) He was In the fall of 1993 I adopted a ten-hour always very good around animals much smaller old male lion cub. I named him Norman. From then himself even when they tugged at his mane the beginning Norman was very different from and pestered him). I enjoyed watching her pester other big cats I had bottle fed in that he seemed him to play with her and thought perhaps she to go weak if he was not fed every one and a half would help him become more independant. But to two hours. Other cubs I had bottle raised. I to my surprise, Norman never really took an fed every four hours. In the wild, as we all know, interest in her and was still very much an over lionesses often leave their young for up to 48 grown baby, attached to me. I also noticed he hours when they are off hunting. With that in would get possessive of me if she tried to take my mind I consulted my Veterinarian thinking attention from him which was something he had Norman might be hypo-glycemic. My vet, however felt Nornan's problem probably stemmed from getting a poor start since he did not nurse on his Mother and recommended I put him on antibiotics. Norman's condition persisted throughout his cubhood and he was also constantly plagued with ear infections that would be very slow to heal. Because of this, Norman and I became very close. He would not eat unless I hand fed him, and was very cowardly and unsure of himself unless I was with him. For example, on one occasion my 86 year old great Aunt, who is barely 4'1" tall, scared him so badly by peeking at him through the patio doors, that he ran upstairs and LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 14 never done with any of the other animals Norman's body was riddled in sores and he was including other big cats I had raised while he licking himself raw. was growing up. I followed the vet's advice and put him on One day, when Madison was about five the antibiotics but a month went by and I saw no months old, she decided she was going to steal improvement. So I called members of LIOC who I Norman's blanket out from under him as he lay greatly respect for their knowledge and expertise. sleeping in my room. For lack of better words to They agreed some exotic cats could be allergic to describe what happened next, all hell broke loose. pine shavings and graciously tried to help me to In my panic, I broke the cardinal rule of breaking determine how to treat Norman's sores which up a fight between two animals, but I wasn't were getting worse by the day as he would not thinking of anything but keeping them from stop licking them. They suggested numerous hurting each other. I got between them and things including homeopathic remedies to speed discharged a small fire extinguisher. True to his up his healing. I ran their suggestions by my nature, Norman backed off (testament that he vet, however he had little faith in homeopathic was a very gentle lion as any other would have medicine and decided Norman needed more antibiotics. I followed his advice as this man had surely killed me for my stupidity) and I was able been my vet for 8 years but was growing skeptical to separate them. From that point on, Norman because by this point, Norman had been on hated Madison, so I put him outside during the antibiotics three times and still would not heal. day in his yard as she was still too small to be After another week of seeing no left outside and by then it was fall. improvement and Norman looking worse then I filled his den with pine shavings instead ever, I decided to go with the homeopathic of straw thinking the pine would be more approach of bathing his sores four times daily in comfortable for him to lay on as he was used to aloe and vitamin E cream to soothe the itching sleeping on a bed. But, within 48 hours of Norm as well as putting sleeping on pine on a topical shavings he broke antiseptic cream to out in a terrible rash prevent infection. along the side of his This seemed to body he was improve his sleeping on, from 1 condition a little bit the side of his face and made him more right down his tail. I , comfortable, but by immediately called ' then he was losing my vet who weight as well. prescribed I increased his food

antibiotics. I 8 intake to double his suggested Norman 1 normal ration and might be allergic to supplemented him the shavings but my with a high calorie vet insisted he 1 protein shake couldn't be as pine which included shavings were often ~ Esbilac, yogurt, a dozen eggs, ground bedding. beef, a multi I remembered back to a time when I had vitamin, omino, extra vitamin C, extra B vitamins, fed Norm turkeys from a local turkey farm and and a taurine capsule. This increased his appetite he had broken out into a similar rash around his dramatically (he went from eating 15 pounds of mouth and on his tongue. I stopped feeding the meat a day-when he was healthy- to 35 plus) but turkeys and Norm's condition improved was still losing weight, especially in his hind dramatically within a few days. The situation quarters. (He did not have worms as he had been with the shavings was so similar I called the wormed regularly.) I went back to feeding him farmer to ask him about the substrate he used every two hours like I had when he was a cub, (I to maintain his turkeys and he informed me he had been feeding him 3 times a day since he was used pine shavings. I immediately removed the weaned at 18 months of age, as he did not do pine shavings from Norman's den. But after being well on one feeding a day) and after two weeks he on the shavings for less then two complete days seemed to have more energy and appeared to be LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/A~d.1999 15 healing, although very slowly. conservation. He was everything to me and no I continued to bathe his sores for the next matter how many other animals I may have, there two weeks after those changes but was very will never be another Norman. frustrated that his sores were still very raw, so I I've not talked about this publicly and consulted my vet again but he was still convinced isolated myself from the animal community Norman's problem was just "dermatitis" including giving up my Journal and placing many aggravated by his licking. Again he prescribed of my other animals because I couldn't bare to antibiotics and suggested that the loss of weight talk about it and because of the loss and guilt I in spite his increased appetite was from stress feel that I followed my former vet's advice blindly associated with being ill. He said he would call and did not push him harder to look beyond to check on Norman again in a few days. I stayed Norman's symptoms to determine what was really with Norman coaxing him to eat to keep his bothering him. Had I done that, Norman might strength up. But his condition dramatically still be here today touching the lives of all the worsened after less than 24 hours on the fourth people who met him with his enormous heart and course of antibiotics. gentle nature. But feeling sorry for myself isn't My friend, who is a medical doctor and helping me get over this and I feel the only way to often volunteers at my sanctuary, got on the get over this is to try to help someone else who phone to try to locate another vet who might be might be going through the same thing. This is able to give us some insight as to what was ailing why I decided to come forward to share this with Norman. He felt this was definitely much more the members of LIOC. than an allergic reaction to the shavings due to I can only pray Norman's death will not Norman's medical history and was concerned that be in vain and that this experience might help the antibiotics had not helped and may in fact be save the life of another. Please tell your members harming him as he explained some antibiotics if they use pine shavings or any type of substrate taken over a prolonged period of time can be toxic. as bedding in their animal's den to make I continued to feed Norman like I had when he absolutely sure the animal is not allergic to it, was a cub and the next morning when I woke up especially if the animal has a tendency towards he was sitting up looking at me. I cuddled him being sickly (a weak immune system or other for a while thinking he was over the worst of it allergies) or has any of the symptoms I described and after a while went down to the fridge to get that plagued my Norman. Had I done that, I may his Christmas present, a huge roast. He rubbed have been able to keep Norman's diabetes in his head on my head like he always did when I checkwith just good nutrition at regular intervals brought him something but instead of waiting (as I had unknowingly controlled it all his life by for me to cut it up for him (he liked me to do that) feeding him several meals a day) and lots of TLC. he took the roast from me, laid back down and Feline diabetes does not have to end in the death put his head on it. He just laid there looking at of the cat. It can be maintained through diet and, me. I figured he was still worn out so I laid down if necessary, insulin. beside him and talked to him like I did when he Diabetics are at greater risk once they was sick as a baby. We stayed like that all develop an injury or a sore as they do not heal afternoon and as he licked my head, I convinced properly and often die of complications due to myself he was going to be all right. infection, just as in humans. In hindsight he was trying to say good Norman was not obese, he was on the bye to me. My friend called me later that day to small side compared to his brother and his father. tell me he had found a website posted by Cornell I was told by the zoo I got Norman from that University that described Feline Diabetes and that Norman's mother died of an unknown illness after Norman had all the symptoms. Norman had not being on antibiotics for a prolonged period of time healed in spite of being on all those antibiotics as well. Norman's diet consisted of beef, goat, because he was diabetic. But, sadly, we deer, chicken backs and necks, turkey necks and discovered this too late. Norman went into shock drum sticks, and pork hocks or a pork roast as a and died in my arms minutes after I got off the treat (he loved pork). Occasionally he would get phone. a bowl of esbiliac with eggs when he wasn't feeling Norman was unlike any lion I had ever well. met and he extended the gentleness and love he showed to me to everyone who met him. The day There is no snooze button on a he died, Christmas day, a part of me died too as he was my motivation for doing practically cat who wants breakfast. everything I was involved with in regards to LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - MarchIApril, 1999 16 Onychectomy in the Exotic Feline by James Peddie functioning. Several horizontal mattress sutures using an absorbable suture material are usually required to bring the edges of the skin flaps into A current technique for onychectomy in apposition. exotic large cats is to remove the claw with its Bandages are applied to promote germinal tissue. One should retain the flexor hemostasis and postoperative hygiene. Another process of the third phalanx to which the deep objective of bandaging is to -milk" the skin of digital flexor tendon is attached. Amputating the digits distally down over the site of the claw in this manner preserves the normal amuputation. piece of two-inch tape. long anatomic and functional activities of the feline enough to encircle the leg. is folded lengthwise paw. so that the adhesive surface is exposed on both sides. The folded tape is placed loosely around Surgical Technique the leg just proximal to the carpal or tarsal xea. Anesthesia is induced with a combination Tube gauze is then applied by passing the foot of Ketamine hydrochloride, acepromazine and lower leg through the center of the applicator maleate, and atropine sulfate. Endotrachael and by attaching the end of the gauze to the folded intubation and inhalant anesthesia are used to band of adhesive tape. With an assistant holding maintain an adequate depth of anesthesia. the gauze anchoring it to the tape, firm even Surgical preparation consists of clipping the pressure is applied to the gauze as it is pulled patient's hair on the nail sheath and liberally distally over the paw (Fig. D). The tube gauze is cleansing the extended claw with alcohol to secured immediately distal to the paw by rotating remove dirt and debris around the base of the the applicator. The applicator is returned with nail. loose application of gauze, and the previous steps An Esmarch tourniquet is applied to the are repeated three to six times. The direction of leg starting at the paw and extending above the increasing tension is always distal. Elasticized elbow on the foreleg and to above the hock on tape is then applied over the gauze and is the rear leg. The proximal end of the Esmarch extended upward to attach to hair proximal to tourniquet is secured with a conventional the gauze. Following this maneuver, the tourniquet (Fig. A). After securing the proximal tourniquet should be removed; it is desirable to tourniquet the Esmarch bandage is unwound to see a small amount of hemorrhage, which expose the paw up to the region of the carpus or indicates adequate perfusion of the digits. If the tarsus (Fig. B). bleeding becomes profuse, one must reapply the The claw is removed using a White's nail touniquet and retape the paw with slightly more trimmer on the smaller exotic felids or a scalpel pressure. and a Gigh wire saw on the larger felids. Two Postoperative care consists of an injection cuts are made, both with the patient's nail of benzathine penicillin G and the extended (Fig. C). The first cut is on the dorsal recommendations are that: (1) the patient should surface of the digit at the articulation between be well bedded with dvsawdust or smw-for the the second and thrd phalanges. This articulation next 10 days, and (2) if the patien1 has not can be palpated as a depression proximal to the removed the bandages by the fVth pxto~ram-e nail bed on the dorsal surface of the digt. The day, the tape on the proximal end ofthe bandage second cut is made parallel to the bottom of the should be cut, leaving the gauze imam: tie foot- to the depth of the first cut, forming a 90' patient usually removes the bandagg pior to angle at the pint where the two cuts intersect this time. (Fig. Dl. Care must be taken with the second cut to ensure thar a margin of skin is excised with the clan--If ftus 15 not done, germinal nail tissue References and Suggested R~~s will Femm and will lead to the development of Fowler, M. E. Zoo and If-ild Yyedicine. scars ,me -%eyenl abscessation. -Inink Philadelphia. iV. B. Saund?~.1973. KAk~-2% s-0 cuts are made as described, Stunkard, J. A. and AMiller.J. C. %-I ou~&~eguide the ne>:cr ?TJC--SS of the third phalanx with its attzc?fnz fm ?%+dflexor tendon remains. to genera1 anesthesia in esefic spwies. %~-.-z%T vC smcture results in a paw VM, SAC. 6911 181. 1974. -5-- d: -- c.=---- rxzL-:- more correct and is better LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - MarchIApril, 1999 17

Wat's Wur Opinion9 Everyone Mas onei Share Wur Opinion! Uost of you have your own reasons to have your cat declawed or not to have your cat declawed. Let your opinion be heard. Write or email me your ~pinon~andthe next newsletter issue will publish the results without identifying any names of respondents (unless you ask for your name to be Fig. C published.) Should any exotic cat be declawed? Do any of the following factors affect the decision: Size of cat? Type of cat? Behavior characteristics of the cat? Habitat of the cat (outside vs. in deep digital flexor tendon side)? Type of procedure used? Who owns the cat?

Write: Marge Maxwell, Editor Fig. E PO Box 101 Bowling Green, KY 42101 Or Email: [email protected]

Fig. A: The Esmarch bandage is applied from distal to proximal on the limb and is secured with a tourniquet. Fig. B: The Esmarch bandage is unwound to expose the distal end of the limb. Fig. C: The claw is extended by applying pressure to the digital pad, and a White's nail trimmer is used to make the two cuts to remove the nail. Fig. D: The sequence, location, and angle of the two cuts used to remove the nail with its germinal tissue are illustrated by the lines A and B. Note that the flexor process of the third phalanx (PSI, with its attachment of the deep digital flexor tendon, is left intact. Fig. E: Tube gauze of an approximate size is anchored proximally and is applied to the paw while continuous pressure is applied to milk the skin distally. LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/A~ril,1999 18 The Rescue Of Corky, The Cross Eyed Cougar by Sherry Blanchette, Meadow Sweet Farms

Corky was just two weeks old-a tiny, anytime. temfied, huddled mass of spotted fur, cowering A thorough search was done of the home. in the back of a large dog crate and covered in Photos were taken of the contents of the Boltons lion cub feces. At first glance it was obvious that refrigerator, daughters bedrooms, contents of this little guy couldn't see out of his right eye, a cabinet and drawers. The report filed by the cataract reflected nothing but a clouded hazy Investigator states: " in the kitchen was a large blue. A closer look revealed that he was also birdcage with a white macaw. In thepont bedroom cross-eyed. was a dog. Both ani~~~~khad faand water. The Emory and Diane Bolton had never been birdcage needed cleaning. We then asked if there to an exotic animal auction before and this was was a large cat in the house Ms. H said yes, uwodd their first trip to Ohio. Not new to exotics the you like to see Corky?" Boltons raised rare breed Macaws and Cockatoos Ms. H took us down to the basement in a for years. They were animal lovers and had pont room where wefound an approx. 1 00 pound rescued several dogs. They never considered mountain lion in a chain linked fence cage. In the themselves cat people though. basement were two more macaws and what Seeing the tiny frightened kitten, they appeared to be a breeding areafor Aji-kan Grays knew the only way to save this little guy was to with an unknown number of birds. We were told try and buy him. For $500.00 dollars, all the cash they were sittug on eggs. Pictures were taken of they had to their name, the Boltons, bought the mountain lwn and macaws...... 1 1 :00 PM Flsh Corky. The dealers told the Boltons that Corky and Game amved at the scene and removed the was a hybrid ocelot kitten and wouldn't get bigger mountain lion. * than a house cat. According to Danni, the Bolton's 16 year Knowing Corky didn't stand much of a old daughter, the authorities physically chance they brought him home and diligently restrained her and kept her from the room where began the painstaking journey of trying to save they darted Corky with a tranquilizer gun, several this little one's life. Six months and thousands times. They dragged Corky up the stairs and out of dollars later Corky was healthy and happy but by his paws, his head dragging on the ground. he was growing fast and was already much bigger Danni said that she was terrified that night at than the expected house cat size and his spots what was happening. She says she still has were fading. nightmares. Corky was placed in a local zoo. The None of the city veterinarians that location was not revealed to the Boltons. examined Corky could tell the Boltons what kind of hybrid cat they had. It wasn't until Corky was Charges against Bolton: almost two the Bolton realized that Corky wasn't New Jersey Department of Fish Game and a hybrid ocelot cross after all, but a 140 pound Wildlife (DFGW) charged Bolton for having a mountain lion. mountain lion without a permit. Bolton was given the minimum fine of $250.00 to pay, which he The Confiscation: did. Bolton was told that he could pick his cougar On December 4th 1998 while Emory up and move it to an approved facility out of state. Bolton and his wife Diane were looking for He was told he had better do it quickly because property in Florida, a state that would allow them Bolton was being charged $25.00 per day for to keep Corky, the New Jersey Department of Fish Corky's care. Game and Wildlife and the SPCA, were at the The DFGW in New Jersey had approved Boltons New Jersey home. a facility in VA. MSF CENTER FOR THE The "Authorities" told the Boltons two CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION OF daughters, 22 and 16, who were home at the EXOTIC/WILD FELINES INC. The facility Corky time, that they had received a complaint that was supposed to be moved to had been in contact there were abused animals at the residence. The with DFGW and had been ready to move Corky, authorities did not have a search warrant, nor when DFGW decided at the last minute, not to do they need one in New Jersey when a complaint release the cougar. is filed on cruelty and abuse of animals. The SPCA SPCA then filed three cruelty and abuse has the authority by law to enter premises at charges against Bolton, three weeks after the LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/A~ril,1999 19 confiscation; were we allowed to be present when zoo personnel 1. Keeping a mountain lion confined. loaded Corky into Boltons vehicle. A police escort 2. Declawing a mountain lion. awaited us, as we left the zoo property. 3. No veterinary care for a mountain lion. After two and a half months at the zoo, Corky There were no charges filed of cruelty and abuse was emaciated, dehydrated, and he suffered open to Boltons other animals. The SPCA and the infected oozing sores on his paw pads as well as DFGW never did a follow up on the birds, dog or mouth and tongue sores. Corky had received no domestic cat found at the residence that night. veterinary care, nor had a vet examined him until All animal cruelty and abuse charges in New the day he was released from the zoo. He was Jersey are considered a felony. They carry with put on display and not in quarantine. Bolton was them a six month jail sentence and up to $5,000 charged over $600.00 for Corky's care. The zoo in fines for each offense. is now under federal investigation for cruelty. An attempt had been made to pressure Mr. In Virginia, Corky was eating 8 - 12 pounds Bolton into a plea bargain of -lesserwcharges of of food a day at first, that has tapered off to a disturbing the peace. Knowing even if he were more normal 4-6 pounds. His sores are healing charged with the lessor crime, all of his animals and he is beginning to play like a happy cougar would be confiscated anyway and he would never should. Corky misses the Boltons tembly. In the be able to own a pet in New Jersey. near future Bolton hopes to get all of his permits Bolton knew the only charge he was guilty of and bring Corky back home to New Jersey. was owning a mountain lion without a state Meanwhile, the family is commuting 200 miles permit. every couple of weeks to visit Corky on weekends. The first two charges had no local, state or federal law backing them up. Had it been Conclusion: investigated before the charges were brought up, This is a very unusual case in that the charges they would have found that Corky had had were dropped and the Judge returned Corky back excellent well documented veterinary care. to the Boltons custody. Most confiscation sagas do not end on such a happy note. Bolton and In Court: Corky were very fortunate. On February 16~, the court room was filled Normally, when an owner is found not to have with the media and Corky supporters. Many the proper local, state, and federal permits and supporters wore T-shirts that read FmE COFKY, licenses, the owner is charged and fined. The and LET OUR CORKY GO. Others wore shirts animal is confiscated and euthanized, often with pictures of cougars, tigers, and lions. There before the case is heard in court. were hand painted signs that pleaded with the court to release Corky and calling the confiscation a Gestapo tactic. In court the investigator repeatedly acknowledged that Corky was a very friendly cat when they had arrived at the Bolton's home. He said that he charged Bolton with cruelty because Corky was declawed and could never be released into the wild. He admitted that he never checked to see if Corky had a vet or medical history. He also stated that he felt that the Federal USDA laws were wrong and needed to be nadjustedn. The Judge dismissed all the charges against Bolton because the state could not prove its case. Had Bolton lost to these charges, a precedent would have been set in which to establish future exotic animal laws in New Jersey.

The Zoo and Vk When Corky was picked up at the zoo, Bolton "Never mind how loud it purrs ... Did and myself, were led to a room that had all the you see the size of that hairball?" blinds drawn and we were guarded by a zoo employee. We were not allowed to be present when the zoo veterinarian examined Corky. Nor LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 20 Notes for a New Employee by Peggy Hayes

Even if you were raised on a farm, pens are scrappy and run-down, it may you are now entering new territory where be that you could repair or clean up the critters and even the smells are around them if you just don't get used to different. However, basic principles are it as the owner did. A few flowers planted the same: all have to be cleaned, in a corner works wonders. The old watered, fed, and sheltered. refrigerator shelf-wire that was slapped Although you are feeling insecure on the cage just to make do until later, and half afraid, and all is strange, try to well, it's later now and you may find time get into the habit of LOOKING. Look at to replace it with appropriate material. every animal every day! Notice patterns: It does not hurt to cany a pen and paper who comes to eat first, last. etc. Count and jot ideas down as noticed. There are them. If the pattern is interrupted, or many things that are just waiting for a one doesn't come to eat as normal, 'rainy day" to get done and you can find something is wrong. If there are hiding time if you try. Check with your boss. places where trouble may lurk, or a sick Bosses usually appreciate offers of help, animal may hide, count them every time but also like to know what you are you pass the pen. Standing and watching planning to do. After a few months (or is not the same as "standing around." years) you don't have to ask much Each farm is run in a different anymore, as you just KNOW. manner and until you learn the routine, Every day and sometimes more only do exactly what you were told to do. than once, each animal needs to be This saves worry for your boss and watered and fed. Feeding means the possibly your life and limbs. However, main diet plus something whether it's most employers do not mind if you grab hay, fresh foods, cuttlebone, vitamins a broom and clean up or rake up in safe sprinkled on, or whatever. Try not to be places, and other general housekeeping so rushed that you have no time to watch chores if you are temporarily out of a list while they eat. This is the highlight of of things to do. Sitting parched on a stool the day for the animal and I especially while waiting to be told the next thing to like to hear their happy munching do is usually not appreciated. You have sounds. It makes all the other work a legitimate reason to sit only while in worthwhile. the bathroom or while eating. Your feet A sleeping place should be thought got tired? Change shoes during the day about for each different animal: roost or try Nike Airs. pole, nest box, or tree to get under. Look at a place when you first go Consider heat, cold, moisture and wind. there and remember your overall Is the shelter adequate? Don't be afraid impression. If things look out of place or to ask. Most people are making out the messy and cluttered, don't just adjust best they can, but if you have a good and leave them. You will eventually learn suggestion that is effective, it will be used where they belong; put them away. if it is affordable. People tend to stack things up in any Birds need two resting places so convenient place to put away later, and they can move from one to another. There never find the time later. If cages and should be roads for travelling, LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 2 1 ways to maneuver in the cage, tree limbs what the owner has in mind. No one or whatever is needed for squirrels, wants his tool room moved into another binturongs or lemurs, etc. barn without advance warning, but Think. getting it straightened up is really a big Is there something that can be help. Maybe the tool room should be done for amusement or "toys" for spare moved. Don't be afraid to suggest it if time entertainment? you are willing to do the work involved in The other need is sex and most your "spare time." folks try to plan for that. The owner is concerned for the Look for problems and think of animals so if you see something that ways to remedy them. could be done better, say so. Most people Are any animals dragging dishes don't want to spend any extra money, but around or upsetting them? Try to tie there is usually some way that it can be them down some way. done with materials on hand. There is Dirty water? Set it up on concrete no need to expect him to build a new - or plywood. compound just to satisfy your Are any animals fighting through expectations. the fences? Put up sight barriers or move No one has ever been upset if trash somebody. gets picked up and disposed of. Knocking all the seeds out of the There is a fine line between acting dish? Make a cover with a small like an employee and acting like the headhole. animals belong to you. Find it, you need Donkeys hog all the food? Give the caring feeling in order to do a good ducks theirs in a comer fixed so that only job. However, they are still HIS, not they can fit into it. yours! The water dish is in an unhandy Keep your own standards high. place that you can't reach to dump and Maybe water dishes/tubs don't get clean? Tie a wire or string onto it or use changed every day, but you should feel a pole to reach it. Or move it. If it is free to scrub and clean them whenever convenient, it gets done LOTS MORE! YOU feel they are getting slimy. Cages Develop a system for doing chores. should be cleaned regularly, but if you If you always start at one comer and work find a quick hosing in one spot will save around the same pattern each time, you you having to spend a lot of time later, don't have to wake up in the middle of then it the quick lick as you pass. the night and wonder if you have Just because you are told to clean in the forgotten anybody. morning doesn't mean you can't do it If you see twine, wire, or tools lying again later if needed. What you are doing around, pick them up. Don't think is for the animal, not the person. Well, someone else will or should. It is not your really for both, but keep the animals' moral responsibility to TEACH the other needs in mind and satisfy them, and the person to pick up after himself, because owner will be satisfied also. HE left it there. Pick it up and put it One of the finest things that can away. Maybe he was going to come back be said about you is that the world is a and use it again, but if it is in the proper better place to live in because you are in place, at least he can find it! it. Do ask before doing things until you get the feel of the place and know LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 22 Third Lynx Dies Following Researchers request: Reintroduction In MSF-CCPW/EF has an on-going Eastern Cougar Southwestern Colorado research project. You are invited to take part. If you own cougars or you have experience with DENVER (AP) - Another Canadian lynx set free captive raised/wild cougars, I would be very in the high country as part of Colorado's efforts interested in your opinions. This project is for to reintroduce the cats to the state is dead, wildlife better understanding of wild vs. captive behavior. officials said Monday.The female, the third tuft- Documentation of such observations as eared cat to die this year, apparently starved to coloration, tail length, and stimuli will aid in our death even though it caught and ate a coyote search for the elusive Eastern Puma (Felis and a snowshoe hare, said Division of Wildlife Concolour Endangered/Extinct) here in spokesman Todd Malmsbury. The other two (that Appalachia. died) to our knowledge had not eaten at all," said Malmsbury, who is still waiting for the lynx's MEADOW SWEET FARMS CENTER FOR necropsy to be completed. This one we even CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION OF WILD observed eating and it looked to be in good EXOTIC FELINES INC. is requesting the following physical condition ... There may be some information on cougars in the private sector. mitigating factor here." The dead cat's body was discovered Friday, the same day biologists AGE: released four more Canada lynx in Colorado's SEX: southern mountains. The division's goal is to SUBSPECIES IF KNOWN: reintroduce 50 to 55 animals into the wilderness SIZE: this spring as the first phase of a three-year, $1.4 WEIGHT: million project. Animal activists have asked TAIL LENGTH: wildlife officials to discontinue the controversial COLORATION: program, contending the cats cannot be DIET: reintroduced successfully. There are now nine GENERAL BEHAVIOR: cats, four females and five males, roaming WHAT STIMULI ATTRACTS YOUR COUGAR: Colorado's mountains, and at least one more female will be released Friday, Malmsbury said. Please give your opinions: In addition, eight lynx are in a holding facility in In your experience with cougars: southern Colorado and will be released into the 1. What do you feel would be the behavior of a wild sometime next month, he said. Colorado's captive raised cougar if released into the wild? lynx population was declared endangered after 2. Do you believe there could be a black color the last was found in 1973just outside the Vail phase in some cougars? Why'? Why not? ski area. The secretive, nocturnal animals aren't 3. What do you think could contribute to a welcome by everyone. Ranchers, farmers and shortened tail (1- 1.5 feet) in wild cougar outfitters went to court unsuccessfully to try to populations? stop their reintroduction, claiming it would result 4. Tell us about your relationship and experiences in further restrictions on their activities. with cougars. Correction ~O=FES minutes 5. Have you ever seen a cougar in the wild? What was your experience? in Jan./Feb. issue: Thanks. Raymond A. Beckley wanted to emphasize that All answers can be snail-mailed or ernailed to: he is not professonally affiliated with the Lin- coin Park Zoo in Chicago. He is a daily visitor to Sherry Blanchette, Director the Kovler Lion House and they are members of Meadow Sweet Farms Center For Conservation the zoo. He did provide some research for his and Preservation of Wild/Exotic Felines Inc. friends, the lion zoo keepers but he does not Attention: Eastern Cougar Project belong to the zoo research team. His aim is to PO BOX 251 "foster a better understanding of LIOC at Lin- LOVINGSTON, VA. 22949 coln Park Zoo." Thanks from all LIOC members, Ray, for your EMAIL: [email protected] dedication to the LIOC cause! Phone: (804) 263-6652 LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. Volume 43, Issue 2 - March/April, 1999 2 3

J

All CIS 111 tills publ~caiin~~are vuld where prnhlhted by law All trar~sactiol~sare between buyer and seller. All buyers and sellers must have proper llce~~sesand permits for all anlnials offered for sale or sold. LIOC-ESCF lnc does lint necessarily endorse or guarnatee the honesty of any advertiser. LIOC-ESCF lnc. reserves the rtght to edit or reject any subscrlptlon or ad. No bllnd aninla1 ads will bc accepted. Only LIOC rriernbers may place ads llstlng cats for sale. Adoption ads are free of charge for cats that 34 pages of practical tips and guidelines for need good homes and no money Is involved In the transactloti. All ads must contain the name of busl~iessor proper caging and handling of exotic cats. l~idlvidual.Ads must state whether the lndlvidual Is a private owner or broker. Full current address wit11 a phone Includes diagrams on construction of proper riuniber riust be stated 111 the ad. equipment for any size feline, including squeeze Ad Rates for submitted photo ready ads: cages, collars, leashes and much, much more.

1 colun~ninch "Classified" $10.00 114 page $25.00 Send $5.00 (US) plus $1.25 postage to: 112 page $50.00 Full Page $100.00 LIOC Back Page $125.00 3730 Belle Isle Lane Mobile, AL 366 19

UNDER HIS WING

An article in National Geographic several years Notify Member Services ago painted an incredible picture of God's wings. See page 2 for address/email After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he Mainely Felids knocked the bird over with a stick. Upon doing W11d Feline Husbandry Manual so, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly comprehens~e introdudon to responsible captive aware of impending disaster, had carried her husbandry of wild felines for the novice. Information on: offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings. Instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise, she could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had singed her small body, the mother had remained ANIMAL FINDERS' GUIDE steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, 18 issues per year for only $25.00 Single issue price $2.00 those under the cover of her wings would live. Informative articles on exotic animal husbandq Exotic animals, products, & services. Psalm 9114 He will cover you with his feathers, ~uctio&and shows. and under his wings you will find refuge; his PO Box 99 Prairie Creek, IN 47869 faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 812-898-2678 or fax 812-898-2013 Visit our website at www.animalfindersguide.com . . email: [email protected] The &on

Strange spirit with inky hair, I saw the sudden sky; l?e h11-orbed ,7Moon shone down, Tail tufied stiffin rage, Cities in crumbling sand; 7'le silence was so loud, 1saw with sudden stare 276 stars fall wheeling by; From jaws wide-open throvn Leap on the printed page. 276 lion roaring stand: pis voice hung like a cloud. l?e stillness ofits roar 276 stars fa11 wheeling by, Earth shrank to blackest air; From midnight deserts torn neir silent, silver stain, l?at spirit stiffin rage Clove silence to the core Cold on his glittering eye, Into some midnight lair Like the blare ofa great horn. Cold on his carven mane. Leapt fiorn the printed page. W.J. Turner