Nov Dec 2009

Feline Conservation Federation Mar/Apr 2010 Volume 54, Issue 2 TABLE OF

Features

MARCH/APRIL 2010 | VOLUME 54, ISSUE 2 17 Looking at Loss with Hope Sanctuary volunteer Kim Barker puts contents to words the heartache and joy.

22 Caring for Bobcats James Battista shares a home with bobcats

28 Managing Public Perception Mindy Stinner writes on generating positive press.

34 African Safari Sweepstakes winner chosen during fundraiser Wayne Sluder attends the FCF drawing and goes home a winner!

36 Tazmir and Teela Retrospect Julie Roper fills emptiness by celebrat- ing life well lived.

41 A Learning Experience Shared Teresa Shaffer’s serval litter in an ice storm spells trouble.

42 Wildcat Rescue gets help from the Wildcat Safety Net Roger Newson reports Safety Net rescues six big cats.

Cover Photo: Beautiful blue-eyed Tonka stares at cameraman Randy Johnson. You can watch Tonka playing in the snow at the FCF accredited Phillips Park Zoo. 22photo credit James Battista

photo37 credit Nora Battista photo credit Eric9 Simmons photo36 credit Tom Roper Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FCF JOURNAL AND JOIN FCF IN IT’S CONSERVATION EFFORTS A membership to FCF entitles you to six issues of the Journal, the back-issue DVD, an invitation to FCF husbandry and wildlife education courses and annual convention, and participation in our online discussion group. FCF works to improve captive feline husbandry and ensure that habitat is available. FCF supports the conservation of exotic felines through captive and wild habitat protection, and provides support for captive husbandry and breeding programs and public education. Send $35 annual dues ($40 Canada, $50 international) to FCF, 4403 S. 334th E Avenue, Broken Arrow, OK 74014 Species Contact Us 44 Jaguar: Feline King of the New FOUNDER: DIRECTORS: Public Relations: World Catherine Cisin Conservation: Roger Newson Professor Bill Smith illuminates this Pat Callahan 6702 Woodsmere Way symbolic icon of Mesoamerican EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: 3400 Vine Street Fort Pierce, FL 34951 culture Lynn Culver Cincinnati, OH 45220 772-466-6374 141 Polk 664 513-304-7155 publicrelations@ 9 Fishing for Information Mena, AR 71953 conservation@ felineconservation.org Anthony Giordin summarizes 479-394-5235 felineconservation.org knowledge of the little-known fish- executivedirector@ Development: OPEN ing cat. felineconservation.org Education: DEPARTMENTS: 20 Blast from the Past - William B Sylvia Gerber Accreditation Chairman: de Thailand and Flower OFFICERS: 1679 NW 114th Loop Doc Antle Bill Boyle recounts breeding of President: Ocala, FL 34475 P.O. Box 31210 Kevin Chambers 352-875-7699 Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 Asian Golden cats in this 1971 7816 N CR 75 W education@ 843-271-2299 reprint. Shelburn, IN 47879 felineconservation.org [email protected] 812-397-2302 Marketing: Conservation Advisor: Pictorials president@ Ron DeArmond Jim Sanderson, Ph.D. felineconservation.org 1203 Columbus St. 356 Freeman Street 26 Member’s Best Shots Vice President: Pella, IA 50219 Hartford, CT 06106 Kim Pyne, Marisa Katnic, Rajani Patty Perry 312-213-7975 505-720-1204 Ferrante, Robert Johnson, Vickie P.O. Box 2359 marketing@ [email protected] Moorpark, CA 93020 felineconservation.org JOURNAL STAFF: Keahey, Lynn Culver, Prayeri 805-517-1005 Membership Services: Managing Editor: Harrison, Julie Reid, Doc Antle vicepresident@ Elizabeth Whitlock Lynn Culver felineconservation.org 1385 Middle Burningtown Layout/Copy Editor: Conservation Secretary: OPEN Road Ilana Burk, 3BI Design & Mar- Treasurer: Franklin, NC 28734 keting 6 Chile and the FCF, the begin- Kurt Beckelman 828-524-6943 Associate Editors: ning begins 4403 S. 334th E. Avenue membershipservices@ Judith Hoffman FCF Conservation director Pat Broken Arrow, OK 74014 felineconservation.org Robert Bean Callahan visits Chile with Jim 918-407-0341 Legislation: Mindy Stinner Sanderson. [email protected] Robert Johnson Wayne Sluder PO Box 31210 13 Tracking the Black-footed Cat Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 Robert Johnson delivers FCF 786-390-8553 multi-media projector and spends legislation@ time in the Karoo with felineconservation.org researchers. 40 Rare Species Fund Local education supports global Editorials The Feline Conservation Federation publishes the Journal bimonth- conservation. ly. The FCF is non-profit, (Federal ID#59-2048618) non-commercial, 32 Shining light into the and international in membership, devoted to the welfare and conserva- Research dark abyss of tiger tion of exotic felines. extinction The Journal publishes articles on exotic feline conservation and hus- Using feline behavior to test a 47 Lynn Culver bandry, management, and regulatory and legislative issues affecting new method to reconstruct phy- ownership for our members. The author’s point of view does not neces- logeny Carlos C. Albers studies the social 39 Animal Spirit Guides sarily represent the point of view of the organization. Reproduction of behavior and domestication of Lee Standing Bear Moore any material in the Journal may not be made without the written per- felids and asks FCF members for mission of the original copyright owners and/or copyright owner FCF. help. Letters to the editor and guest editorials are also published. Organization Display advertisement space is available at the following prices: Education Letter from the President $10 business card, $25.00 quarter page, $50.00 half page, and $100 4 Kevin Chambers full-page ad. Submission deadline for articles 8 Kodkod: Guigna or Pampas 5 From the Executive Cat? and advertisements is the 10th of even Director numbered months. Please submit all Jim Sanderson researches the ori- Lynn Culver gin of Kodkod. photos and articles to the Journal Man- 25 Convention 2010 aging Editor. High Resolution photos 37 Evolution to Wildlife Educator - it all started with Rufus and articles may be emailed to 46 Victory in Oklahoma [email protected], or send by Nora Battista’s journey from pet Kurt Beckelman bobcat owner to wildlife educator postal service to 141 Polk 664, Mena, got a little help from the FCF. 49 Donations AR 71953.

3 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Letter from the President 2010 is kicking off to be another busy If you are interested in this position, deductible donation to the Safety Net so and exciting year for FCF. Thank you please contact me. that FCF will be ready when called upon every FCF member who donated to the The Oklahoma contingent of FCF again. If you hear of any such situation, or African Safari Sweepstakes fundraiser. members successfully killed a restrictive want to serve on the Safety Net commit- About 810 donations were received before state bill, read about it inside this Journal. tee, contact Caroline Alexander at the January deadline and another 60 bonus Kudos to all of those involved. Working [email protected]. entry forms were generated for members the legislature is something that no one FCF has been contacted by professor who gained ten or more donations to the enjoys, but is a necessity when it comes to Carlos Albers who is researching the vari- FCF. Kathrin Stucki generated the most keeping cats. The best way to get your ous felid species potential for domestica- donations and won the registration for legislator’s attention is to sit face-to-face tion. He would like our assistance in a sur- convention and three nights stay at the with them. This lets them know that it vey he has set up on a web site. Please be hotel prize for her efforts. Congratulations means enough to you that you have taken sure to read his article in this issue and to Wayne and Rhonda Sluder for winning time out of your busy life to personally then visit his web site and participate in the African Safari and international air- communicate your concerns. It also the survey. fare. Be sure to read Wayne’s story in this builds a relationship with the legislator, And finally, here’s a brand new way Journal. Wayne and Rhonda decided that which simplifies things in the future when you can raise funds for the FCF. The FCF with one young child and another on the your voice needs to be heard. We all need is partnering with Capital One to offer way, the time was not right for them to to be on our toes during the legislative FCF credit cards. The program is called take this trip so they sold the Safari and season. Be vigilant and stand up for your the Shopping Survival Plan (SSP). You made a donation of $1000 back to FCF. I rights. shop, FCF survives. Here’s how it works. want to thank the Sluders for their gener- One thing I’d like to emphasize to our FCF will receive $50 the first time you ous support of FCF. members is the need to educate the public. use your card and a percentage of the pur- Kate Conner and her committee are To learn more about how to develop your chase price after that. 2% on gas and gro- hard at work on making this year’s con- own wildlife program, register for the ceries, 1% on other purchases, and up to vention another event you won’t want to Wildlife Conservation Educator’s Course 10% with selected merchants. The card miss. We’ll be in Oklahoma and will visit being conducted July 28. Whether doing has no annual fee and has all of the bene- Bill Meadows’ Tiger Safari. I’ve visited exhibits, education programs, or simply fits of a Visa Platinum card. This is a Tiger Safari and Bill is really making it a talking with others about wildcats, taking wonderful way to support FCF with some- true destination site for middle America. the time to share your knowledge with thing that you use in your everyday life. His facility and attendance are growing by someone does make a difference. The You won’t have to do anything different leaps and bounds. I also know that Kate is more people know about the plight of with this card. Capital One will automati- planning on having another very special wildcats in both the wild and in captivity, cally figure FCF’s portion and send it to guest in attendance, but I’ll let her fill you the better their chance for survival. This us automatically. Please apply online for in on that to keep the suspense up. Just is particularly important in educating a Capitol One FCF Shopping Survival make sure you mark your calendars for young people. All of us had some experi- Plan card and help FCF when you book July 29-31 and make your plans to be in ence as a child that influenced our pas- your convention airline tickets and all Oklahoma. sions as an adult. The animal rights your other purchases too. The only FCF Husbandry Course movement s spending more and more each http://www.cardlabconnect.com/Shop- planned is in conjunction with the conven- year on “educating” the youth on their pingSurvivalPlanSSP. tion in July. We need additional courses. viewpoint and idealisms. We need to do Anyone considering hosting a Husbandry this also. Contact any local youth group to Choose one of Course should contact Sylvia Gerber. schedule a talk at one of their meetings. these FCF Once expenses are paid, the host splits the Groups like 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Capitol One profit with FCF so not only will you be Nature Clubs, and others are always look- cards or design helping to educate people, but also you ing for such speakers. The biggest benefit your own. stand to profit both yourself and FCF is the opportunity to talk to kids on a one- financially as well. on-one basis and let them know that they Billie Lambert recently resigned her can make a difference. The more they position as Director of Development on know, the greater their interest and pas- the FCF Board of Directors due to lack of sion becomes. time. I thank Billie for her efforts and We are proud that the FCF Wildcat wish her well. Billie set up the Zazzle Safety Net approved funds to help relocate store for the FCF. Be sure to visit the site six big cats from Texas to Wisconsin. to get your FCF merchandise. Your support of the Safety Net makes this http://www.zazzle.com/fcf. The board possible. Please be sure to read the article needs to appoint another to replace Billie. in this Journal and consider making a tax-

4 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 From the Executive Director FCF was founded as a feline welfare FCF member facilities. Valley of the In the two decades I have been organization. Before there was conserva- Kings received a lion and a tiger, and the licensed, I have observed how USDA has tion awareness, there was concern for the Exotic Feline Rescue Center (EFRC) took evolved to respond to the exotic animal health and safety of kittens imported from 10 more. I spoke with Joe Taft, founder of industry. Social attitudes have changed on South American jungles being raised in EFRC. He described these big cats’ living what constitutes public safety and ade- people’s homes. Cathrin Cisin published quarters as being circus transport-sized quate care for captive wildlife. What the LIOC newsletter to share experiences cages inside a barn. passed as acceptable a couple of decades and knowledge of diet, medical issues, and Being USDA licensed carries with it ago, is no longer good enough. It is very care. So it was only natural that FCF an obligation to follow the regulations and important that everyone act professionally should create the Wildcat Safety Net, make corrections when an inspector docu- and provide properly for the cats. Being which embodies our concern for captive ments non-compliance. As a USDA broke, or out of work, does not excuse feline welfare. This program helps cats in licensee, one gives the government regula- poor husbandry. need reach safe haven. tory authority over the facility in exchange The FCF husbandry course has taught In this Journal is news that the Wildcat for the license to engage in commerce. over 500 students the basics of proper Safety Net was contacted to aid in the USDA licensees should know that non- exotic feline care, preparing the next gen- transport of two tigers, three leopards and compliant items carry a potential penalty eration of handlers, and also, broadening a cougar from Texas to Wisconsin. The of up to $10,000 per violation, and it is the base of knowledge of present handlers. owner of these cats was a former traveling entirely up to USDA whether to issue a Last year FCF developed the Wildlife exhibitor, at one time licensed and regulat- fine or how much to fine. If one does not Conservation Educators course. It can help ed by both the USDA and the state of correct non-compliant items, and the graduates qualify for a USDA exhibitor Florida. But repeated failure to meet the USDA believes the animals are suffering, license. FCF puts its resources into these state and federal regulations resulted in the or in danger, USDA will build a case to programs to ensure that the next genera- loss of both licenses. A move to Texas did support this finding, and will take the ani- tion of feline keepers is trained and pre- not improve matters, and a concerned citi- mals. pared. zen contacted authorities. These big cats This license to conduct business can In this Journal is a story of FCF mem- were living in circus type transport cages, have a very steep price. One must take it bers who graduated from both the hus- and the owner had failed to gain necessary seriously. Familiarity with the Animal bandry and educator’s course and are now Texas state and county permits. The prose- Welfare Act and USDA regulations and teaching children about wildlife and con- cutor charged the owners with multiple policies is a must. Policies can be found servation. Pet bobcat owner turned violations. In a plea bargain agreement to on the USDA web site. When the USDA wildlife advocate! I hope that this article drop the charges, the cats were given up. proposes new regulations or policies, they inspires other FCF pet owners to do the When Jeff Kolisky contacted me for are published in the Federal Register. same. It is up to all of us to shape the atti- financial assistance to transport six of There is a public comment period. FCF tudes of the next generation in our com- these cats to Wisconsin, I felt this was def- comments on proposals that affect feline munities because that is the only hope for initely the kind of situation FCF contem- owners and so should owners. a future with these felines. plated when the Safety Net was created. Jeff is the founder of Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue and Educational Center, a non- profit sanctuary. I knew of Jeff from the Tiger Next Door, a documentary of the Dennis Hill story that we viewed during the membership meeting at convention last July. It was Jeff that took in 20 of Mr. Hill’s cats. The Safety Net committee voted to approve the grant application to transport these cats to a better life. At the same time, another confiscation was happening. This was a USDA confiscation in northern Indiana. The USDA had Holley Matthews written up the licensee repeatedly for vio- Joe Taft and Exotic Feline Rescue Center volunteers place their transport cage lating Animal Welfare Act regulations. A beside tiger’s cramped living quarters. confiscation order gave the cats to two 5 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Chile and the FCF, The Beginning Begins

Pat Callahan station in San Pedro de Atacama. This is had just returned from Ethiopia. Now we potentially part of the FCF`s Andean went north to Antofogasto and met with When I heard that two friends, both Mountain Cat Project. We would visit the Regional Director of the Chilean wild cat biologists, were going to Chile, I that area in a few days. quazi-governmental organization CONAF asked to tag along on vacation. FCF`s Meanwhile, we visited an area Jim whose support and land space is vital. He own Jim Sanderson graciously said "yes." knows very well, the Island of Chiloe. likes the Andean Cat Project and his So I joined them from October 9 to This is prime guigna habitat and for the office oversees the San Pedro de Atacama November 1, 2009. As a vacation, well, I very rare Darwins Fox. This area is cold area and its local CONAF office there. We have had better ones, but as an experience, it was an adventure for sure! We flew into Santiago, Chile and went straight to a Symposium on the Car- nivores of Chile, sponsored by the University Catolica. Alex Sliwa, from Germany, spoke on how to study wild cats, based on his work with Black-Footed Cats in South Africa. I spoke on my work with captive Pampas Cats and Jim spoke about how to do work that supports conservation and not just "science." We spoke in English but everything

else was in Spanish. Jim Sanderson Despite the title of the Viva vicunas! Chilean Andes border the Altiplano high desert where herds of South American symposium, talks includ- camelids roam. ed Spanish lynx and Andean Bear neither are Chilean, but also and wet with thick bamboo and other traveled east to San Pedro, the "gateway" Puma, otters, guigna cats and foxes of under growth. That is, where it is still to the Altiplano Region, a high desert area Chile. Our trio challenged the audience, unfarmed. At Senda Darwin we saw with volcanic hot springs, copper and sul- mostly college students, to get busy and efforts to return the land to the pre-Euro- fur mines, salt, and more desert. Parts of it study Chile`s small cats, the Andean cat, pean arrival state, and a dorm for students, literally look like the planet Mars. The guigna, the Geoffs and the Colo colo and heard but did not see the rare Darwins Andes Mountains here begin at its eastern (Pampas Cat) before they disappear. At Frog calling. At the shore we saw Magel- edge, with Volcano Licancabur (elev. the coffee break, a dozen or so students lenic penguins. I was dressed for "spring- ~15,000 ft) and its neighbors. Farther east, approached us, eager to "do something." time in the desert" and started coughing passable by car, is Bolivia and Argentina. E-mail addresses were exchanged and and sniffling. This is where European ALMA Radio- maybe some fires lit. We returned to Santiago Airport to pick telescope is sited and is very remote once Next we met with Jim’s colleague, up Steve Gold, to help assess building you leave tiny San Pedro. We checked in Augustin Irate, author of the book Mam- sites and any solar power needs. He is in at the local CONAF office, walked the miferos de Chile, who brought an Archi- the construction business and his hobby is potential field station site and met the tect, to discuss plans for a remote field to do solar stuff at remote field sites. He Architect`s mother, also an Architect!

6 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

that so much is involved, a lot is there. The CONAF guys were pleased of just basic things to be done, to get camera traps and will get more. because no one is doing any- Other strong allies were met and asked to thing. FCF is truly on the join in. Remember my saying, "all conser- ground floor of this Project! As vation is local." You gotta have local for the cats, we did not expect allies! The field station is still very much to see any, and did not, but we a design in progress and other sites need saw what they need to exist. to be assessed. I was proud, as an FCF Water. Water plus soil=grass- Member, to be seeing this activity and the es=rodents and birds=Colo colo spreading of the gospel so to speak, of (Pampas Cat). Water plus Small Cat Conservation! soil=grasses plus boulder The gods of the volcanoes rewarded us fields= viscachas (think triple for our efforts, not with seeing cats, but Jim Sanderson size chinchilla) and with other wildlife. We saw vicuna, gua- Viscachas are the main prey species for Andean birds=Andean cats! But also it naco, Andean Condor, Inca terns, Andean and Pampas cats. means herders, hunters, foxes, Coots and two species of flamingo, up Many pros and cons began to become sheep, llamas, alpacas, well you around 14,000 ft. Ice and flamingoes, very apparent. Mr. Gold’s input was very valu- know. We did see cat tracks along the Rio odd. But those vischaca, they were extra able. Salado-Salt river, and I declared them to fun to stalk; I believe they brought out the We all know what wild cats need to sur- be Colo colo=MY Cat! Wow! I actually cat in us. More on Chile another time and vive and FCF members have heard or read felt like we were being watched! those wonderful people of Chile too! about Jim Sanderson’s dream about the The next step is to get camera trapping Andean Cat. Now I could see first hand, data from this region and see what really

7 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Kodkod: Guigna or Pampas Cat? Jim Sanderson, Ph.D. ic names for the wildlife, including wild cats that inhabited the The common name kodkod is some- lakes district. times used in place of the common name Pascaul Coña, a Spanish guigna (gween-ya) when referring to priest, lived among the Mapuche Leopardus guigna. In the region where carrying out the labors associat- the guigna occurs, most Chileans use the ed with his belief system. In term huiña (ween-ya); the term kodkod is Spanish, the alphabetic letter “ñ” never used. This curious fact begs the is n-yah so that Coña is pro- question: what is the origin of the term nounced Cone-yah. In 1930, kodkod and what wild cat does it refer to? Coña published his book “Testi- The diminutive guigna is a native of monio de un cacique mapuche” south-central Chile and a small part of in the original Mapuche lan- Argentina. When Charles Darwin passed guage (left side below) side-by- Spotted guigna is native to Chile. through the region between 1831 and side with a Spanish translation 1836 the region was heavily forested from (right side below). Realizing the the coast of Chile east to the foothills of Mapuche were rapidly being replaced by knowledge of the zoology of the region the Andes where many lakes are found. the Spanish and that their knowledge gath- begins on page 107 with the wild cats and Before the arrival of Europeans, the so- ered over more than a thousand years was continues on page 108. Note that Coña called lakes district of Chile was occupied rapidly being forgotten, Coña produced a attempted to produce the sounds of the by Mapuche, one of many Native Ameri- written record of the knowledge of a Mapuche words using Spanish, Greek, can groups inhabiting the region. Of rele- Mapuche cacique, or person of great and German since the Mapuche had no vance here is that the Mapuche had specif- importance (a chief). The cacique’s written language. Footnotes were also

C. Zoologia . - LA FAUNA CONOCIDA POR LOS INDIGENAS. (*)

1 - ANIMALES MAMIFEROS (34)

Hay animals feroces, El más grande es el puma o león chileno Mëlei tëfachi auka kulliñ. Doi fuchai pa‹i, pa‹üll ka trapial (1) (1); el tigre (2) se encuentra en dirección a la Argentina. pi‹ei ka, ka nawel (2), fei pewenche pële pe‹ekei. Mawida meu Además hay en las selvas los gatos monteses: la huiña el colo- ká mëlei feichi kodkod, wiña (3) rume, ka kudmu (4), fei chel colo (3); y el cudmu, (4), que tienen semejanza con los gatos narki (5) fem‹ei. domésticos (5).

1 - ANIMALES MAMIFEROS (34). - (1) FELIX PUMA. (2) F. ONCA.

(3) F. guigna y colocolo. (4) F. pájaros. (5) F. domestica. become widespread? The Mapuche and (5) a domestic cat. Spanish translations must be more closely Footnote (3) refers to a guigna, a colo- examined to discover the Mapuche words colo or pampas cat, in (4) another morph for the wild cats we recognize today. of the pampas cat, and in (5) a domestic In (1) the Mapuche cacique first refers cat. to the Chilean lion or puma. Next is refer- That fact that the Spanish huiña, from ence (2) to the jaguar that is found in “the which the Latin guigna is derived, and the direction of Argentina.” The jaguar does Mapuche wiña, sound alike is unmistak- not occur in Chile so it must be that the able evidence that these words refer to one cacique traveled widely. The first foot- and the same wild cat. The only confu- note refers to Felis Puma and Felis Onca sion arises because the order of the words leaving no mistake that the Mapuche presented in Mapuche was transposed in cacique refers to the puma and jaguar. the parallel Spanish translation. Thus, we Melanistic guigna has successfully The small wild cats are not so easily rec- are led to conclude that “kodkod” must be caught a lizard snack. onciled however. the Mapuche word for “colocolo,” what The Mapuche cacique in (3) first refers we recognize as the Pampas cat. Indeed, to a kodkod and then a wiña, in (4) a those that have heard a Mapuche speaker included in the text on pages 107 and 108 kudmu, and in (5) a domestic cat. This is say the word “colocolo” will attest that it that are reproduced here as well. translated by Coña into (3) the huiña (a sounds like “kodkod.” How is it possible that so few lines of guigna), the colocolo (what we know as a Previously, several species of Pampas text have led to such great confusion and pampas cat), in (4) “and the cudmu,” and cat (Leopardus colocolo) were recognized, that this confusion persists and has 8 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 colocolo and pájaros being two of them. cat. Since Coña was not a biologist we Mapuche word “kodkod” referred to the We now recognize just one species and might well never know exactly what small Pampas cat. This confusion can hence- several subspecies. Thus, we are led to wild cat is named by the Mapuche forth be easily avoided by using the com- conclude that the Mapuche “kodkod” cacique. mon name guigna for L eopardus guigna refers to the subspecies colocolo and In any case, a careful analysis of Pas- and dropping the use of the word kodkod. “cudmu” might refer to pájaros. Howev- caul Coña’s book “Testimonio de un er, note the curious omission of Geof- cacique mapuche” reveals that the Literature cited froy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi). It might Mapuche referred to what we now know Coña, P. 1930. testimonio de un cacique well be that cudmu refers not to Leopar- as the guigna (Leopardus guigna), written mapuche. Imprenta Cervantes. Santiago, dus colocolo pãjaros, but to Geoffroy’s huiña in Spanish, as the wiña, and that the Chile. FISHING FOR INFORMATION: WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST MYSTERIOUS WILD CATS? Anthony J. Giordano, M.S. work with animals headfirst. For me, one of the most unfor- Director of Conservation Science & Field Projects today, you probably do gettable of these trivial facts was an S.P.E.C.I.E.S.:The Society for the Preservation of Endan- recall that zoological arcane anecdote of a fishing cat captured gered Carnivores & their International Ecological Study trivia I’m talking about. long ago and halfway around the world. LifeScape International You know, the blue A cat that managed to kill a female leop- ***Integrating Nature & Humanity for a Sustainable whale is the largest ani- ard kept in a cage too close to its own. Future*** mal to have ever lived. To say that a wild fishing cat is of an The male – and only the unsettled and somewhat belligerent dispo- male - duck-billed platy- sition is like saying getting hit by Mike pus has poisonous spurs Tyson is painful. Both are somewhat on its “elbows”. And of understated. Fishing cats are the quintes- course, cheetahs are the sential tough cat, in much the same way fastest land animal on that the bobcat is here. Unlike the bobcat, earth. But I think a par- however, fishing cats are probably habitat ticular obsession of specialists, tied to the presence of true mine had to do with how wetlands with thick vegetative cover little was known – across a vast south Asian landscape. A indeed, how little is medium-sized cat, fishing cats as their known - about so many name implies subsist largely on fish and species. Among those other freshwater aquatic prey. They have waiting for the shroud of also, however, been reported to take small mystery to be lifted are to medium-sized mammals in parts of many of the small cats. their range. Males in particular in some Never quite able to mus- locations, which have been known to cle the charisma as a reach weights of 32 lbs., are quite capable tiger or jaguar, both of of taking small ungulates as prey. which I myself am Females are much smaller, weighing as guilty of having studied, little as 12-15 lbs. However, 15-25 lbs is

Barry Bland small cats have often probably more of an average range for Fishing cat gets his fish. This one lives at T.I.G.E.R.S. been left in the dark, both sexes. largely overlooked, and It is no mistake I have carefully cho- Many budding zoologists or curators overshadowed. sen words like “probably,” and “likely”. still remember those unusual details they Today, the welcome distraction of They are words that lack confidence and learned about certain species when they those interesting zoological facts, “cat imply doubt. The truth is, so little is were kids. This is when we, like many trivia” if you will, remains, and I am still known about the fishing cat’s ecology and kids actually, were all going through our spontaneously challenged by both friends habits in the wild, that biologists can only “dinosaur” phases as well. During this and family. The rusty-spotted cat, for provide their best guess about many of time, we were offering-up five- and six- example, is considered the world’s small- these things. Today, there are only a syllable “o-saurus” names with startlingly est felid; the Canada lynx’s enormous feet handful of people working on the ecology perfect pronunciation and recollection, are adaptations for walking across of fishing cats anywhere throughout their astounding our extended family during the encrusted snow fields; and margays, due range. Ironically, even their distribution is holidays. Remember? Okay, so maybe to adaptations in their rear ankle joints, a matter of debate. They are believed to you weren’t the dinosaur type, but if you are able to walk down the trunk of a tree historically have ranged from the Indus

9 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

collaboration of scientists and With the largest delta and mangrove institutions that maintains the regions in the world, one of the highest world’s “redlist” of threatened densities of riverine ecosystems, and sea- species, reclassifed fishing cats sonal floodplains that completely inundate from “vulnerable” to “endan- much of the country, at the risk of over- gered.” Although no empirical simplifying things, Bangladesh is sort of a studies to date have attempted giant wetland all by itself. As such, it may to estimate population parame- have the potential to serve as one of the ters, biologists working across most effective fishing cat strongholds any- known fishing cat range have where. all offered their best guess at Using a combination of techniques recent trends. And actually, if such as camera-trapping, track surveys, we accept that the fate of fish- and interviews with local people, we have A.H.M. Ali Reza & Anthony Giordano ing cats is tied to intact wet- begun efforts to determine the distribution Fishing Cat Tracks. land ecosystems across South of the species across Bangladesh. We Asia, then the reason for their have already learned a lot. For example, River valley of Pakistan, east across disappearance is easy to explain. Wet- in rural areas, fishing cats are common southern Asia through parts of India and lands are disappearing. At an alarming culprits at local aquaculture ponds, regu- Sri Lanka, north to Nepal, and east again rate, really. In some areas, the threat to larly stealing carp. As a remedy, many through Bangladesh and into Thailand. such wetlands surpasses that of the tropi- locals in one ecoregion prefer to live-trap But where exactly within many of these cal forests in the same region. and relocate problem animals rather than countries do fishing cats actually occur? Not all is gloom and doom, though, kill them. This is cause for optimism, not For instance, where might they be found and several projects have answered the only regarding the local cultural attitudes in the high-elevation country of Bhutan? call for more information. For example, toward these animals, but also because How far north do they range into other there is a brilliant one in progress now in cooperation with the victims of fishing cat parts of southeast Asia? Are they rare in Thailand, one which may finally provide “raids” are a new source of information Peninsula Malaysia? Do they occur on the us with much needed information on the for researchers. island of Sumatra in Indonesia? For this cat’s spatial ecology, habitat use patterns, At the very least, we have turned a last question, no verifiable records of the and density. There is another project tar- corner with respect to fishing cats. They species have occurred from there. Yet fur- geting that most remote outpost of fishing are starting to receive some of the atten- ther south, however, at the northern end of cats in northern Java, a population which tion they deserve. However, at this point, the island of Java, is the most unlikely further research could reveal is as geneti- that is all we can say. We have a long way population of fishing cats anywhere. Like cally distinct from all others as it is geo- to go before we can start speaking confi- the geographic distribution of many south- graphically separate, thus warranting dently about their natural history, distribu- east Asian vertebrate species, this popula- immediate conservation action. And there tion, and overall habitat needs, much less tion is a mystery. Did fishing cats once is another recently begun in Bangladesh, a larger aspects of their ecology. But I am occur on Sumatra, but since have gone country where I believe typical fishing cat encouraged by the efforts now taking extinct before recent times? If I had to habitat is extensive, and fishing cats them- place, and I believe we’ll eventually get guess, I’d say “probably.” But then again, selves perhaps even relatively common. there. And when we do, we will likely there’s that word again. It is in this latter country that my work find we have even more interesting ques- Given that the seemingly straightfor- with fishing cats occurs. Here, surround- tions to ask about this most mysterious ward question of “where do fishing cats ed by some of the best and most commit- cat. occur?” is not known with certainty, its no ted scientists and conservation profession- wonder that information regarding their als that I’ve had natural history and ecology has been slow the privilege to to accumulate. Add to this the fact that work with, we few studies have specifically targeted may have the them, and a few cryptic habits that might potential to demand a good mix of survey techniques, study fishing cat and its no wonder this species lingers in populations obscurity. But, despite its wide distribu- across a large tion and a seemingly unassailable tough- enough land- ness; despite all we admit we don’t know scape that the about fishing cats, what we think we do knowledge we know is not encouraging: that is, not even gain could be obscurity can save the fishing cat. They valuable for are disappearing. developing a A.H.M. Ali Reza & Anthony Giordano Last year the World Conservation national conser- Searching for tracks around isolated “ponds”. Union, the international partnership and vation strategy. 10 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Victory in Oklahoma

Kurt Beckelman Anderson by a paid political consultant ing as possible. Bill Meadows, Leah and and lobbyist. This was information I Bob Aufill, and myself represented the We can declare a victory against the uncovered during our research phase. FCF. Several people from G.W. Exotics Humane Society. For the third year in a Many responded that they opposed HSUS, were present. Bill was the only person row we have stopped a ban bill against and thought the bill was an infringement allowed to speak on this bill. I know that private ownership of exotics. In Okla- to our personal rights to make the choice other FCF members wanted to attend, but homa, SB 1798 sponsored by Senator to own exotics. were unable to because of schedule con- Anderson specified individuals could not Some Senators were not available to flicts on such short notice. own large cats and non-human primates. talk to, so we left our business cards and One of the committee members asked The bill required prohibited animals be the reason we were there with their secre- Senator Anderson about the origin of the micro-chipped and reported to the local taries. Sad to say, no calls were returned, bill and he admitted it was the Humane animal control officer. Had this legisla- except for Senator Justice who kept in Society, but specifically avoided mention- tion passed into law, it would have opened contact with Bill Meadows and Melissa ing HSUS. Senator Garrison remarked the door for amendments to be added in Meadows. that what the AR groups were trying to do the future, including expanding the list of After February 1, other members of the was an infringement on our rights. Final- prohibited species. FCF contacted the Senators to apply pres- ly, a politician who understands. Three As a private owner of bobcat, black sure to defeat the bill. Joe Scrievogel other committee members asked ques- leopard, geoffroy, serval and lemur, SB from G.W. Exotics in Wynnewood was tions, and then the vote was taken. 8 1798 would permit me to keep what I pos- also involved with this pursuit. voted against the bill, and 3 voted for the sessed, but I would be restricted in breed- Wednesday evening the 10th, I received a bill; victory for us. ing, selling, or adding animals. When my call from Bill Meadows that the commit- This report demonstrates that we can leopard or lemur died, I would not be able tee was going to meet the next day at win when we work together as an organi- to replace them. 10am and the bill was on this agenda. It is zation to defeat the AR groups that are I contacted the FCF Oklahoma State important to note that very little notice is working against us. representative, Bill Meadows and FCF given to the public. The agenda was post- One Senator on the committee suggest- executive director Lynn Culver to discuss ed on the Senate web site on Tuesday, just ed that FCF present a fair and balanced our plan of action. I never thought I 48 hours ahead. We were not notified by bill to curtail the many attempts by AR would get so involved in the political any of our contacts in the capitol but got groups to take our rights and liberties process. Emails and phone calls were word through the animal community away. We intend to craft such a bill and made to other members of the FCF to alert grapevine. This is a valuable lesson. You present it next session. We are going to them to the bill. Many were shocked to must stay on top of any proposed legisla- work as a group on this effort and have an learn that a bill like this was being intro- tion, as it can move at any speed, at any attorney who has offered his service to us. duced again. Kudos to everyone who got time. Anyone who has experience or would like involved making calls and emailing their Wednesday evening Lynn sent out to be involved in this effort is welcome to Senators. Special thanks goes to Leah email to all Oklahoma members and we contribute. and Bob Aufill, Bill Meadows, Melissa called to try to get as many people attend- Meadows, Rep. Leslie Osborne and another person who wishes to remain anony- mous and to Lynn Culver for taking my Join the Zoological Association of America many phone calls. Here are the steps we used to effective- There are several levels of member- ly kill this bill. Bill Meadows and I went ship including commercial, education- to the State Capitol on February 1, the al, facility, and individual. Accredita- first day of the 2010 Session. After the bill was read, we personally met with five tion is also available. of the senators on the Tourism and Wildlife Committee, which was assigned this bill. We stated our position as private promoting the owners, and our reasons why this bill responsible ownership, man- P.O. Box 511275 should not pass. I stressed to each mem- agement, and propagation Punta Gorda, FL 33951 ber that the SB1798 was backed by the of animals in both [email protected] Humane Society of the United States www.zaa.org (HSUS) and was presented to Senator private and public domains. 11 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

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12 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Tracking the Black-Footed Cat: FCF Helps in African Conservation Robert Johnson ous fact that I was driving on the wrong Prior to my involvement with FCF, I side of the road and everything was writ- must admit my knowledge about the more ten in Afrikaans. Numerous farms and rare species of smaller felines was fairly ranches dotted the wide-open landscape, limited. Most of my expertise was with and much like the U.S., the further west I cats that were not only too large to com- drove, the drier everything seemed to be. fortably fit in your lap, they required Driving around and through the fre- trucks and trailers to be transported. quent dust devils, colored dark red by the Through the many informative FCF Jour- dry clay soil, I arrived in Kimberley just nal articles, along with the occasional con- ahead of a dark and ominous looking versations with our own internationally thunderstorm that threatened to make this known small cat specialists Pat Callahan a wet visit. My first destination was the and Jim Sanderson, my awareness of these McGregor Museum in which Beryl is the often overlooked felines has slowly begun head Zoologist. The museum itself is a Setting up the projector provided by to evolve. During a recent trip to the low FCF’s Conservation Fund. massive colonial style building that brings grassveldt region of South Africa, my one’s imagination back to the days of familiarity with one of these species took when this land was under European rule. be useful. Since the projector was being a large leap forward as I got a firsthand Built in 1897, this sprawling complex has, supplied by FCF, and since I would glimpse into the life and behavior of the over the past century, been home to a already be traveling to the other side of the black-footed cat, the rarest and smallest sanatorium, a convent school, the Hotel world, the Rare Species Fund offered to feline in Africa. Belgrave, and most recently the McGregor send additional equipment, if it was need- As a senior trainer at T.I.G.E.R.S., part Museum. ed, along with me. As it happened, Beryl of my responsibilities is to lead safaris for Ushered in by an elderly security Wilson, the field researcher and project our guests into the bushveldt region of guard, I walked through a seemingly manager for the Black-footed Cat Working South Africa to see some of the most spec- unending labyrinth of darkened hallways Group, was radio tracking black-footed tacular wildlife on the dark continent. The looking for Beryl’s office. At about the cats in the north and had been looking for most recent trip (ending only about six point I was sure I would never be able to several years to get some camera traps for weeks ago) had two separate groups of navigate my way back out, I saw a trickle the project. All of a sudden, I found guests, the first of which began in mid- of light spilling out from underneath a sin- myself with another destination in my November, the second beginning in early gle door about halfway down a long hall- travels. December. This unique situation presented way. When the door was answered, I saw me with a fantastic opportunity.I found an office covered with maps and charts, myself with two full weeks to explore the shelves filled with texts zoological speci- wonders of South Africa. mens, and a large prominent picture of a During our last FCF convention, in black-footed cat. “You must be Beryl,” I Salinas, money was appropriated from the said. FCF Conservation Fund to purchase a After greetings and introductions were multi-media projector for help in outreach exchanged, Beryl proceeded to explain the education programs in rural Africa. The project they were working on. The Black- goal of this particular program is to help Out in the middle of the night with footed Cat Working Group is headed by educate local people about the importance Beryl and the film crew, tracking the Dr. Alex Sliwa, curator of the Cologne and fragility of the black-footed cat. Since elusive black-footed cat. Zoo in Germany. Beryl is project manager postal delivery is often unreliable in the and keeps the whole thing together and After returning to Johannesburg from isolated areas of South Africa, and since I running. She is currently working on a dis- my first week in the bush, I set about the now found myself with a couple weeks sertation concerned with the distribution task of determining how best to approach time to fill, I volunteered to hand deliver of black-footed cats in their natural range. my circuitous route around the country, the projector to the Marion Holmes of the As she started explaining the home range and decided my first stop would be to visit Cat Conservation Trust. of these animals and the new information Beryl Wilson and deliver the camera traps. After contacting Marion and her hus- she had uncovered from both historical The route toward the town of Kimberley band Richard about meeting up, I inquired data and recent reports, you could tell her was remarkably like driving through the as to whether additional equipment would excitement was building. Pulling books central United States, except for the obvi-

13 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 and notebooks off the shelf, she talked tion, you will most likely run into an exca- terrain. We eventually did catch up with about prey species and the black-footed vated termite mound, a ditch, or a rabbit the little fellow and Beryl was able to cat’s choice of habitats. When she hole, all of which are hidden by the short track him and enter his movements into revealed that there seemed to be a strong grass, and all of which the cats use for the GPS for later analysis. Beryl explained correlation between the populations of cover. The termite mounds themselves to me the use of live traps in the study. spring hares and black-footed cat’s, her stand about three feet tall. There are also These devices were used not only to catch eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning. nocturnal aardvarks in the area which bur- black-footed cats, but also other small “They have definitely found the right per- row into these mounds and feast on the predators which have a direct affect on the son for this job,” I thought. resident insects. This of course leaves a During our conversation, Beryl men- three foot deep hole next to the three foot tioned she had a television crew traveling tall mound. This poses a particular hazard with her that evening while she tracked as more than one research vehicle at Ben- two radio-collared black-footed cats, and fontein has come to a sudden and violent invited me to join them. We grabbed some stop as a result of “falling into” one of food and waited for dusk before we start- these holes. To add to the complexity of ed our quest for the elusive nocturnal finding a black-footed cat in the wild, they felines. I learned that the town of Kimber- are constantly moving and can trek as far ley is home to the De Beers diamond as 30km in a single evening. mines and that the research area, Ben- We had a very lucky night of tracking. fontein, is part of the vast tracts of land Not only did the impending thunderstorm owned by the company. We arrived at the push off to the south of us, we found the Benfontein research station just after sun- first black-footed cat, a female with a den set and fitted the Toyota pickup with its of kittens, within about an hour. (This par- requisite telemetry antennae which would ticular feline and her den are currently the assist with the radio tracking. We met up sight of interest of one of the supplied with a television crew and headed out into camera traps.) Needless to say, the elusive the grasslands. feline did not hold still and pose for the The terrain, at a glance, looks pretty television crew and the longest unob- flat and uniform, and it might not sound scured sighting lasted only a split second. Discussing the live traps used to catch like a difficult task to find a cat that is While the producer assured us that they specimens. constantly transmitting a homing signal, had enough footage for the story, I believe territory and survival of our little feline subjects. We took a look at some of the traps that had been used in the field. The De Beers company had offered to manufacture another 50 traps to the needed specifications in order to further the study. The problem, however, was one of logis- tics. While the De Beers offer was generous and much needed, only so many traps would feasibly fit into the bed of a small Toyota truck. The solution was simple, but expensive; they needed a trailer. The following morning we explored that solution, Great Karoo: The vast expanse of the great Karoo, home of Marion Holmes and and by early that afternoon we had visited the Cat Conservation Trust. a local trailer manufacture, after discussing matters with Doc Antle of but for those who have not attempted such they eventually decided to call it a night T.I.G.E.R.S., we ordered a custom built an endeavor, you are apt to be greatly because they were not sure if their equip- research trailer to be provided on behalf of amazed at the difficulty. First of all, you ment or their spleens could handle the the Rare Species Fund. The research are looking for a cat that maxes out in size bumpy off-road driving much longer. would continue and do so with some somewhere around 4 pounds. Even in After the departure of the television much needed equipment. ankle-high grass, these animals simply crew, we headed back into the field to I departed the town of Kimberley later disappear. While the terrain looks relative- search for a male black-footed cat whose that afternoon and headed south. I reflect- ly flat, if you walk 45 feet in any direc- territory was a 30 minute drive across the ed on the amazing experience of seeing 14 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

ty or running water. In fact their single remarkable feature was that they happened to be located at the intersection of two almost indistinguishable roads. This is something one should seriously take into consideration when planning fuel stops. I was eventually able to navigate my way and, following Marion’s directions, I made a left onto the appropriate road photo by Alex Sliwa toward their house. It seemed odd that Black-footed cat. Marion told me to make a left, but did not The new trailer being provided by the mention the name of the road. There of Rare Species Fund. course was no street sign anyway. I found for a number of the different species of it even more peculiar that the GPS in the small African cats, including of course the my first black-footed cat in the wild. What car just said “driving on road.” I eventual- black-footed cat. It was a special treat for also seemed truly amazing to me was the ly found out that even though Richard and me to see black-footed cats up close and amount of wildlife that came out at night: Marion had lived here for some 15 years, face to face, especially after diligently aardvarks and aardwolves, bat-eared while they were sure the road had a name, searching the grass for hours just to get a foxes, crested porcupines, black-backed they were not quite sure what it was. glimpse of one (and even then being jackals and spring hares (which while run- About 16km lucky). The care and attention to detail ning look like a cross between a rabbit and down the a kangaroo). During the day the area looks “no-named” desolate and uninhabited by wildlife. If we road I came did not go looking for these animals, we to the drive- would never have known they were there. way of This pretty much sums up the role of the Richard and black-footed cat in South Africa. Most Marion people who live in black-footed cat territo- Holmes, ry are unaware of their existence. Unfortu- which I was nately this also means that no one there informed really cares what happens to them. It was could only be amazing to learn that the vast majority of traversed if support, or for that matter even awareness, the depth of of black-footed cat conservation is from the Great Sitting with Marion and “Princess” discussing the future of the American and European patrons. Most Fish River black-footed cat. Africans know absolutely nothing about was passable. the black-footed cat. This is the exact con- (I say all of cept that Marion Holmes is trying to help this only to illustrate how far out in the that Marion puts into her cats should cer- remedy and her facility would be my next middle of nowhere I was. The road name tainly be admired, and for those of us who destination. does not really matter, the mail-man own or are involved with exotic cats, As I made the seven hour journey from would never dare drive out that far any- replicated. Enrichment is of utmost impor- Kimberley toward Cradock, I passed way.) tance and she goes to great lengths to through the great Karoo. This area is more After pulling in the driveway, thanks to ensure that her cats get much of their nat- vast and isolated than I would have ever the relatively low water level, I was hearti- ural prey items as well as some things the imagined, with great, wide mountains and ly welcomed by Marion and a troupe of cats just enjoy. In addition to dung from vast open plains that contain not an ounce bouncing dogs. Richard and Marion were some of the antelope (which some of the of obvious human presence, save for the very hospitable and told me all about their cats love to sniff and roll in), the cats get road I drove. While planning the route, I vast property inhabited by antelope, zebra, the occasional ostrich egg. With a small noticed a number of small towns on the and buffalo (as well as a few wild cats) as hole in the shell to get them started, the map. As I made my way, hour by hour, we enjoyed a wonderful home cooked cats work diligently to get to the nutritious through these points of interest, it became meal. Afterwards, I sat and talked around prize inside. Mental stimulation and exer- evident to me that not only were these dots an open fire with the Holmes family and a cise wrapped up in a nice ovoid package. on the map not towns in the traditional number of their guests. Another treat for the cats is “guinea pig sense, they seemed only to be comprised It quickly became apparent that Mari- television.” A cage with guinea pigs is of a single rock building, with no electrici- on’s true passion is breeding and caring located next to a number of the feline 15 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 enclosures, offering hours of entertain- hopes that this too will help educate and Conservation, Mr. Pat Callahan, and, of ment for the cats. While the guinea pigs further her success in this endeavor. course, the much needed equipment was do not come into contact with the felines, My experiences with the black-footed only possible because of all of our contin- they never seem to realize the cats are a cat in Africa were truly eye opening for uing efforts at FCF and the Rare Species potential threat. The excited felines, on the me. Fund. It is really nice to see such dedicat- other hand, can often be seen crouching There is still so much to learn about ed people working diligently on projects behind a tuft of grass in anticipation of these amazing little felines. I greatly like these and it is even nicer to be able to perfecting their pouncing skills. appreciate the hospitality of Beryl Wilson offer them direct support. This is one of One thing that Marion has taught me is and of Marion and Richard Holmes and those wonderful times in my life that I how fierce a black-footed cat is, or at least the time they took to share their lives and find a situation in which EVERYONE thinks it is. This cat makes more preda- their projects with me. Much of this was wins. tions or kills than any other feline, and able to be arranged because of the quite probably most other predators. It is involvement of our capable Director of estimated that for every kilometer they walk in the wild, they will make a kill. That means for those black-footed cats who journey 30km, they are making 30 predations in a single night! That is pretty amazing when you think a leopard or lion goes days without making a kill. I know some people out there are thinking, “Yeah, yeah, they are probably catching a mouse or something.” While that is true, its important to keep in mind that their average size is only 3lbs. If a black-footed cat weighed 400lbs we would all be in serious trouble. Marion’s youngest black-footed cat, Image from one of the supplied camera traps. This black-backed jackal is prowl- Princess, displayed her tenacity while ing outside the den of a mother black-footed cat and her kittens, looking for an stalking and pouncing on her favorite play easy meal. Notice the radio collar on the jackal. He is being tracked by another toy, the Jack Russell terrier Phoebe. This researcher also studying the area of Benfontein. little cat was doing back flips off the wall and was doing her best to tackle a dog more than three times her size. You can see a video of the two on Youtube.com (search “black footed cat attitude is everything.”) In addition to the cats at her facility, Marion is very active in educating the public about the importance of predators in the ecosystem and bringing awareness of the existence and fragility of the black- footed cat. Nowhere is this more important than in the rural areas where the people and animals must co-exist. Toward the end of the fantastic visit with the Holmes family,I presented Marion with the projector provided by FCF which will allow her to present this information in an effective manner. Because black-footed cat specimens are rare, and because children tend to learn more if there is some tactile involvement, I also gave Marion a replica black-footed cat skull (on behalf of the RSF) to take along to schools programs, in 16 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Looking at Loss with Hope Kim Barker teer, I am now volunteer staff with much more involvement and history with the We all experience loss. It’s a part of life people and animals. I can be found at the that no matter how many times we experi- center almost every weekend, doing some- ence it, it never seems to get easier. Some- thing in the compound. In this short time, times, it actually feels harder. I have been afforded some experiences of At the Conservators’ Center, many of the a lifetime. It has also given me the oppor- animals arrive when they are old or dam- tunity to know these animals far better aged in some way. It is part of being a than I ever anticipated. I try to not think sanctuary for these creatures that you about having to say goodbye to any of know you may only have a few short years them, even when I know it’s coming. And with them, if that. When I first started vol- now, it’s no longer academic. unteering, I academically understood that This past summer, I got my first experi- and realized that the longer I stayed, it was ence of what it was like to say goodbye to inevitable that I would witness a loss. an animal I had close ties with. If there I had been at the center just over a year was activity in the compound, Flag dog when the first losses I experienced hap- would be there with his mom, Mama dog, pened. The first was the loss of Sam, a making sure the compound was safe for very large, stunning lion. His loss was man and beast. It was hard not to smile unexpected and to see the fall of such a when you saw Flag. He himself seemed to magnificent animal was enough shock all be smiling all the time. Flag dog had been Flag dog sits by Author the white tiger.

Though still very much a tiger, her play- fulness and gentle nature endeared her to everyone who met her. If volunteers or potential staff expressed an interest and dedication to working with the large cats, Solida was the one most had their first experience with. She was very gentle taking treats through her fence, and was very talkative to all her friends. She was a favorite of everyone. One of my first jobs at the compound was to water the plants every Saturday. That easily took a couple of hours and though important, definitely isn’t the most engaging job in the compound. I will Will the tiger, will always be remembered. never forget the day that Julia Matson, one of the CCI staff, asked me to water the tigers. Yes, I wrote that correctly and my by itself. The second was of Will, an sick for quite some time, but we all response was basically the elderly tiger who had been in renal failure. thought he was getting better. What we same…WHAT?! Again, at the time, the Center’s largest cat. weren’t expecting was a silent, underlying If I, or anyone else for that matter, had I had actually worked with Will, so the illness. The call was a terrible shock, and a hose in my hand and did not offer Solida loss felt a little closer this time than the one of the first concrete realizations that I a shower, she would become the most one with Sam. The third was Murphy ser- had really gotten attached to the people emotionally wounded tiger you have ever val. Though we had only known Murphy and creatures that I call friends at CCI. seen. Not only that, you would pay for it in the short time since he was born at the And then there was one that we all later with a snub. It usually only lasted a center just a few months before, I, along knew might be coming, but we all still few minutes because she did enjoy visiting with many others, had helped feed and hoped that we could just have a little more with people immensely, but you would get raise him. A little closer still and all had time. the snub…she had too…she’s a cat! happened within weeks of each other. Solida tiger arrived at the center in Many of us spent a lot of time with Sol- Though not easy, I was still relatively new 2004. Her history gave her absolutely no ida, and the closer the end came, the more and did not have much history with the reason to trust a human being ever again. time we tried to spend with her. Over the residents of the center. Doug and Mindy will tell you a comical Thanksgiving weekend, she was scheduled I am now coming up on completing my story of how they transported this rather for a procedure. It was to see if suspected third year being involved at the center. large and goofy female tiger from the cancer was operable. There was a lot of Instead of being a relatively new volun- coast back to the center in a pickup truck. tension that day, as we knew the very real 17 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

for the animals we care for. There were lots of flowers, scents, kind words, and still more tears. I don’t know that CCI will ever see another tiger like Solida. I don’t know that another one will ever exist anywhere on the planet. It is still difficult to walk by her enclosure, but there are a lot of fond memories. As I was working on this article, we had another passing at the center. On Jan- uary 9th of this year, we said goodbye to Kimberly binturong. She was a very sweet creature with wild banshee hair. She was famous for both. She was an excellent complement to her mate Archer, who can be quite grumpy and tempera- mental. She will be missed for years to come. In spite of the heartache that losing Kimberly binturong will be missed. these wonderful creatures bring, I can say with absolute certainty that it is worth it. possibility that we were spending the last goodbye for real. That day, no one was Just a few steps into the compound, and hours with her. Before I got started on my spared the grief, and tears flowed freely. you are greeted by a chuffle, an “oof”, a day, I stopped by and gave her a favorite It was one of the most precious moments I whimper, or a trill by one of the residents scent, spearmint, on some cardboard. She have ever been a part of. Her passing telling you they are happy to see you. We responded in appreciation, put her nose was very quiet, peaceful, and painless. are relational beings that in spite of the down, and took it in. The next day, she was buried on site. losses, continue to care for and befriend Julia and I had a tour. The folks on the There is a tradition that we have funerals those around us, human and non human. tour could read the concern on our faces and we were honest with them. Halfway through the tour, we got the news we were hoping not to get. Solida was under anesthesia and the decision was made not to wake her. The cancer had spread and even if we operated, it would cause Solida great pain for the rest of her life. Anyone who knew Solida knew she did not endure pain well and her quality of life was of the utmost importance. The decision was easy to make in Doug and Mindy’s heads, but hard to come to grips with in their hearts. Two other guides graciously took over our tour and gave us a chance to see her before she passed. It is a surreal experience holding a living tiger’s paw and grooming Solida is a very special tiger that touched the hearts of many volunteers and visitors at her, knowing that in a few the center. moments, you have to say

18 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

19 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Blast from the Past - William B. de Thailand and Flower Long Island Ocelot Club Newsletter and believe Volume 19, Issue 3 me Flower May/June 1971 restored his Bill Boyle mental health (if you know The story of William B. and Flower what I mean). begins about six years ago in Boring, Ore- Liz report- gon. William B, a wild born adult golden ed many cat, and an adult female golden cat were attempted imported from Thailand by Wilbur and matings and Mary Ellen Tracy of Pacific Northwest suggested or Branch. Their intentions at that time were suspected that to attempt breeding these rare and beauti- Flower had ful exotics. absorbed a lit- Unfortunately, some months later the ter of kittens. female escaped from her cage and was We both were shot by a farmer and poor Wild Willy was becoming a then all alone. Finally, when the Tracys little bit dis- moved to California, Willy was given to couraged but the Olympic Game Farm. This event kept on hop- occurred about four years ago and unfor- ing and try- tunately the Game Farm at that time did ing. not have any Golden Cats, and had no use 1973 and for Willy. Bill Hodge (bless his soul) 1974 were asked me if I would like to have the cat bad years for and, of course, I immediately accepted. Liz Ghent. Willy then came to Tacoma and lived with She lives in a

me on Lake Steilacoom along with Henry beautiful Jim Sanderson & Hazel (ocelots) and Stanley (bobcat). neighborhood Asian Golden cat But again Willy was still alone. in Seattle but I looked and looked for an adult female unfortunately but was unsuccessful. Willy was not tame her neighbors her cages. So-called responsible citizens and completely unapproachable in spite of are not nearly as beautiful as her sur- at these trials violated the law with their all my efforts. roundings. Three criminal citations were perjured and misrepresented testimony. About three, years ago I sold my house brought against Liz as follows: Anyone who is acquainted with Elizabeth on the lake, moved into the city and unfor- 1. "Keeping more than three animals in a Ghent knows that she is probably the most tunately did not have adequate facilities to residential zone." responsible member of the Cascade take Willy with me so Liz Ghent took 2. "Disturbing the peace" by allowing Branch of LIOC and it is obvious that the Willy to Seattle to live with her and Loki Loke (cougar) to "howl" at night whole thing was neighborhood harassment LaPuma. Again, Willy was all alone real- 3. "Allowing a dangerous animal to roam and completely unjustified. ly. at large." (Actually, a 12-pound margay As a result of these actions, Liz decid- While attending the national conven- that she was boarding for a few days ed to move out of the city and as of this tion in Los Angeles two and a half years escaped through a bathroom window and date she is in this process. ago, I discussed Willy's plight with Bob & was recovered a few hours later in a To make a long story short, on March Lil Smith of ACEC. Bob and Lil have neighbor's garage.) 10 Liz heard litter noises coming from been great friends for many years and I personally represented Liz at two of Flower's nesting box. The big event had some months later they called and told me these trials and they were unbelievable. finally happened. Flower took good care that they had been given a whole female At one trial 10 neighbors showed up and of her babies (one male and one female) Golden Cat called "Flower" and that they testified against her. Perjury was rampant for three weeks, but then became excited might consider a breeding loan. Wow! and it was obvious to me that her neigh- and began dragging the kittens around so Elizabeth and I went wild and immediate- bors were deliberately harassing her with Liz took them from Flower and is hand- ly started negotiations with Bob & Lil. these trumped up charges. Neighbors at raising them. At four weeks they are Finally some months later little Flower the trial freely admitted using ladders to beautiful, healthy and thriving. was shipped to Liz on loan. observe over Liz's eight-foot fence and 1975 will be a good year for Liz Ghent, Well, it was love at first sight for Willy take pictures. Tape recordings were intro- a responsible, intelligent animal lover and B. Liz had nursed poor Willy back from duced of Loki's night chirpings, etc. Lies one of the best friends I have ever had. near death from a Salmonella infection were told about the smell emitting from 20 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

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21 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Caring for Bobcats James Battista as a protected tunnel and window enclo- couple picked up his sister Zoe, on the sure that would allow the cats access to same day. When we got home we brought In the state of Michigan bobcats are and from the main house. The officer stat- Rufus into our bedroom and opened his considered wild animals no matter if they ed that it would be no problem getting the carrier so he could explore his new territo- were captive bred or born in nature. To permit and about two weeks later it came ry. He was a little shy at first just looking legally own a bobcat you must get a per- in the mail. around and taking in all the new sights mit from the Department of Natural Two months later we picked up our and smells. Then my golden retriever Resources. There are state regulations bobcat Rufus at the Metro airport. Another Basil, entered the bedroom, took one look at Rufus and proceeded to lie on the bed beside him. From that point on it was true love. Rufus and Basil both had a few sniffs then Rufus started licking Basil on the head. Needless to say he just lay there enjoying his massage until it ended. Even now almost two years later Rufus and Basil are best buddies and Basil still gets an occasional grooming when Rufus wants to relax with him. Bottle-feeding was quite the bonding experience for Rufus and us. He did not want to suck the nipple at first, probably the formula was a little too cool, but after a short warm up he clamped right on and started drinking. We would hold him close with his feet on the carpet and he would suck the two-ounce bottle, collapsing it Enclosure finished and decorated inside with cat house, cat tree, cat box, toys, within 30 seconds. He drank two to three platforms, everything you need, just add bobcats. bottles about every four hours around the regarding the health and welfare of these animals. You must provide an adequate enclosure and certain amenities must be included within. It must be strong enough to safely contain the feline and kept locked for the protection of animal and the owner. Once the enclosure is completed the DNR must be contacted to inspect the facility. Only after this inspection is passed will the DNR issue a permit to acquire the animal. We constructed an enclosure from a kit we purchased from a Canadian supplier. We contacted the DNR and made an appointment. When inspection day came, needless to say, we were both a little anx- ious and apprehensive but it went off without a hitch. The officer from the DNR was very personable and also a feline lover. He was impressed with the enclo- Rufus and Basil nap together. sure with all the required amenities as well 22 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

it to Rufi but he would not touch it. Then The day she came to live with us was we tried some tuna we were having for filled with new experiences. Our friends lunch. He would sniff it and walk away. drove across state to bring Zoe to us. After So it was back to the bottle. Next we tried the three-hour drive she was ready to get offering him a little formula poured over out of the carrier. We put Rufi outside in his raw meat and he would lick up the liq- his enclosure and let Zoe explore the uid and leave the meat. That evening Nora house and the other cats and dogs at her was fixing some chicken wings for dinner leisure. At first she just walked around and Rufus was on the counter helping. She very slowly and smelled everything she gave Rufi a chicken wing tip to play with. could. My other animals were most curi- He took the wing tip into the living room ous and came over to say hi. That’s when and threw it up in the air and tried to catch Zoe let out a hiss that sent my other cats it as it fell. When he did catch it, he would back a bit, but the dogs could have cared shake it and give a little growl. After less. My Golden retriever wanted to play about ten minutes of this play behavior we as soon as he saw her and my little heard the crunch of him chewing the wing Schnoodle barked and snapped and sent tip. After eating that one, he was back on Zoe back in the cage. Rufus and Zoe slow- the counter ready for another. He did not ly got to be friends and now although I Rufus poses on his cat tree bother to play with this one very long have to feed them separately they play before he ate it. His taste for meat was together quite often. finally activated and he made the transi- Rufus started chewing his stuffed toys. clock. By the time he was eleven weeks of tion to a raw meat diet. Chicken is still his At first he would just take them out to his age he was down to three times a day. favorite, and today he eats almost two enclosure and just chew them to bits, but All we had to do is open the fridge and he pounds daily. then I noticed he was trying to swallow would come running into the living room The next few months living with some pieces. These toys were stuffed with where we had an eating place set up for Rufus was somewhat mundane, or excit- some kind of synthetic that was not him. ing, depending on his mood. Some days digestible so we took all the stuffed toys Litter training was never much of an he would sleep most of the day, and other away from the bobcats. Everything was issue. All we had to do was put him in the times he would be so full of energy it was going fine until one day Rufus stopped litter box one time and after a few sniffs a challenge to keep up with him. Rufus eating. He acted fine for a couple of days he made it his own. We did notice that he really liked to jump on the mantle and and then started to be lethargic. Worried, I was trying to get on the toilet and in the knock down anything that was put up sent Lynn Culver an email regarding this bathtub. He would just walk around it there. It was a good thing we read the FCF issue and she promptly called me back, curiously looking at the water. One day he Journal and were warned about this sort and suggested I get him to the vet right jumped into the bathtub and peed. We of behavior. Everything breakable was put away because he could be blocked. The had read about bobcats in nature going in into storage. He also liked to mouth on us vet palpated him and did not find anything the water to hide their scent and found it with his little needle teeth that was not so she took some x-rays. She said they fascinating he would do the same in our pleasurable. We taught him “No Bite” revealed some stomach contents, but that house in the bathroom. I thought about using stuffed animals as a human hand it did not look solid. trying to toilet train him, but after a few substitute and that worked very well. She told us to take him home and keep weeks he surprised both of us by jumping When Rufi reached the age of six an eye on him for a couple of days. Two up on the toilet and urinating in it. I was months we had the opportunity to get him days passed and there was no improve- so proud. That’s my boy. I had to take a a playmate. The other couple that had pur- ment. Rufi would not eat or drink or poop picture and that picture made it into the chased his sister decided not to risk having and now he would not let anyone near FCF Journal. We absolutely loved it. Now their bobcat living with their new baby. I him. At that point we contacted the vet he continues to use the toilet but we have felt so sorry for them because I knew that again and she said to get him in and she to flush right away or he will play in it and they loved Zoe very much and did not would do surgery to see what was wrong. that is not so nice. He also uses a very want to give her up, but family pressure Rufi was in surgery for about an hour and large litter box when he wants to. won out. We offered to care for Zoe mak- a half. The vet called and told us Rufus After bottle-feeding came introduction ing it clear that if they ever wanted her had ingested four toy mice that, although of solid food. Nora and I cut up raw chick- back it would just take a phone call. were small enough to be passed individu- en and beef into one inch cubes and gave 23 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

coming he would try to hide. That’s when I got the idea to get him while he was sleeping. The next morning I found him sleeping on our couch with some other cats, so I got the syringe, snuck up on him, grabbed a pinch of fur just behind his neck and it was over before he could even pick his head up. He’s back to normal now and weighs 40 pounds. He and Zoe are back to playing and chasing each other around the house along with the other animals. At times it’s like having a house full of two year olds. Zoe has not had any issues so far. I feel more confident I will know what to Rufus is back home recovering after surgery with his domestic cat buddy. look for and how to deal with them when they do arise. Having two bobcats has been a great ally, could not be passed as a single mass The vet was not worried about the pain or learning experience as well as a lot of fun. of hair and material. When I picked him stomach medicine but said he must have We both hope to start a wild feline sanctu- up later that day the vet instructed me to his antibiotics. That’s when she gave me a ary when I retire in the near future so we give him some antibiotics, pain medica- syringe with two cc of long acting antibi- can care for other animals that need a lov- tion, and stomach medicine by mouth. otic. ing home so they can leisurely live out Rufus had other ideas. There was no way I have never given an injection before their lives. he was going to let anyone near his face and needless to say I was a little appre- let alone get something down his throat. hensive. Every time he would see me

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24 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

The 39th Annual FCF Convention It’s time to start making your plans to attend the FCF convention!

This year we will gather in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from July 29 to 31, and once again offer the FCF Basic Wild Feline Husbandry Course and the Wildlife Conservation Educator’s Course on Wednesday, July 28. The convention registration opens Thursday afternoon. Drop off your auction items and visit the kittens until the evening buffet dinner and icebreaker, featuring fine food and drinks. Socialize with interesting and colorful attendees, including our special guest, Jarod Miller. Jarod is a TV personality and naturalist, zoologist and lecturer on captive and wild animal management. Jarod founded his own wildlife education and production company, Wild Encounters. www.JarodMiller.com On Friday, we will start early and head to FCF member Bill Meadow’s, Tiger Safari Zoological Park for a tour, lunch, and our all-star line up of speakers in his brand-new, air-conditioned banquet hall overlooking the zoo grounds. Special guest Jarod Miller will speak, as will FCF conservation advisor, Jim Sanderson and others. Tiger Safari specializes in hands-on education for all ages. We will be guided by one of Bill’s staff and meet up-close & personal, his exotic animals such as Emmett the Capuchin Monkey, Heckle & Jeckle little Fennec Foxes, and Zazu the Ring-Tailed Lemur. The Park is home to rare tabby, white and snow tiger. Also, see African lion, serval, leopard, bobcat and Siberian lynx. Friday night you are free to experience nightlife at historic Bricktown, located in downtown Oklahoma City. Bricktown is a beautiful, bustling part of the city, filled with eateries, shopping and entertainment. After dinner, take a relaxed stroll along the riverwalk, or better yet, a water taxi ride in the canal. Whatever you like: sports, art, local food, shopping, people watching (my personal favorite) or drinking (my other personal favorite), there is lots to do in Bricktown. On Saturday, we will bus you to the Oklahoma City Zoo, which exhibits 9 species of cat, including snow leopards, Sumatran tigers and African lions. Other popular zoo attractions are “Great EscApe”, a world-class exhibit that allows adventurers to journey through a tropical rainforest and view gorillas, orang- utans and chimpanzees; and “Aquaticus”, a spectacular showcase of marine life from around the globe, and “Oklahoma Trails”, a eight acre, ten million dollar exhibit featuring 800 species native to Oklahoma. And for our little people, a brand new Children’s Zoo just opened. Children can explore, touch, and immerse themselves in a natural environment that will stimulate their imagination, encourage exploration and give them a greater appreciation for nature. We will return you mid afternoon to give you plenty of time to unwind before the big night. Then dress to the nines (or not, your choice) and join us for cocktails, banquet dinner, entertainment, and fund-raiser auction, this year hosted by our special guest, Jarod Miller. Registration: Convention Registration (before July 5) $199 Late Convention Registration (after July 5) $225 Children 6-18 $129 Children 5 and under Free Basic Exotic Feline Husbandry Course $ 95 Wildlife Conservation Educators Course $ 95 Accommodations: The official hotel is the Holiday Inn, in Norman, OK, (approximately 25 miles from OKC airport) totally renovated in April 2009. For hotel reservation, please contact the hotel directly at (405) 364-2882, and be sure to tell them that you are with the Feline Conservation Federation. The room rates are $79.00 single/double, or $99.00 suite Transportation: If you plan to fly into Oklahoma City, and do not want to (or do not plan to) rent a car, please contact Kate Conner via email at [email protected] or via telephone at 612-376-7793 x114 to discuss transportation. 25 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

Reno Bobcat stands up to get a better Marisa Katnic took this photo of the Living Desert Zoo’s cougar Robert Johnson captured this serval kit pop- look at her snowy world and photograph- “kissing” the glass wall. ping her head up above the lush African er Kim Pyne gets the moment on film. growth. YOUR BEST SHOTS

Rajani Ferrante catches Robert Johnson warming up to Parvati, the Siberian lynx. Julie Reid’s photo shows Scarlett caracal spitting out pumpkin pieces after chewing up her new play toy.

26 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

Vickie Keahey photographs Sultan the tiger hugging his snow covered tunnel at InSync Exotics.

Lynn Culver’s little bobcat Daisy plays ‘mom’ to Lola and Jazzie geoffroys. Prayeri Harrison took this portrait of Out of Africa staff member Debra Kennedy sharing a loving moment with her good friend Sonora the mountain lion. S

r ett caracal spitting out pumpkin pieces after chewing up her new Trainer Chris Heiden and Kody Antle pose with white tiger Amary and white lion Ivory. A team of four trainers headed by Doc Antle assure everything is perfect for Doc’s photo.

27 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

Managing Public Perception Part two of a five part series by Mindy Stinner, co-founder Conservator’s Center, Inc. Mebane, North Carolina

Courtesy Horace Langford Jr. Photographer - Pahrump Valley Times Part 2 - Managing Through Prevention Average people fear what they do not tional programming for the public. We property with me, then that is a reasonable know. Wild cats are always fierce, danger- must also demonstrate our ability to work trade-off I am willing to make. It is all ous and unpredictable on Animal Planet with the animals without putting the pub- about perception. and in Hollywood. In the zoos they are lic at risk. The public loves the idea of a Perception is the key to having an carefully separated from people to protect daredevil, but they are always mortified advantageous launching point for interac- the people. We all know this is also to and surprised when one gets injured. Most tion with difficult people. If you are per- protect the animals, but the public does daredevils do not put other people at ceived as an asset to the community, you not perceive that. So someone who touch- risk—but someone injured handling a big are starting any discussion from a positive es their wild cat is fascinating. If they do cat may either allow the release of the ani- vantage point. We often find ourselves so under the protection of a show business mal or create a scenario where another managing “difficult people” both from the glamour screen, like Sigfried and Roy, or person risks his life to save him. So it is outside world and from within our own a big circus act, people perceive it as OK critical that the public never perceive that organization. The two things we have because they are presenting as profession- possibility if we are to be seen as safe found to be critical in their successful als. The average person assumes a level of handlers. management are having a concrete party competence goes with being a profession- “Pet” is not a dirty word. However, the line that is unshakable and truthful, and al. That may not be accurate, but it is pub- general public thinks of a pet as an animal dealing with them immediately and lic perception. that cannot hurt them or their family. directly. Our goal is not to control them, it When people step into my over clut- They pay no mind to dog and cat bite sta- is to educate them so they understand they tered office, it is lined walled to wall with tistics, and they do not think twice about do not have any right to behave as a licenses, permits, certificates...official and signing their kids up for horseback riding blindly fearful person who scares others, officious looking awards and certificates lessons. It is all a matter of perception. and so they understand that what we are that make us look like people are giving They treat these animals with a casual doing is a benefit to our community. us accolades left and right. I know law attitude because they are familiar enough The people who seem to me to be the requires our USDA license, but most visi- people do not anticipate a problem with most difficult to work with or negotiate tors do not. I know a certificate from an them. They assume someone with a pet with are people with their own agenda in Animal Planet workshop is just a pretty wild cat will have the same habits in han- their interactions with us. Sometimes piece of paper representing a wasted day, dling the wild pets, even if they do not. these folks want to be seen as champi- in my opinion, but they do not know that, Apply that carefree mindset to handling a oning the rights of the local people who either. It looks like we not only know tiger, and the result is potentially disas- have been left defenseless in the face of what we are doing, but we have been at it trous. What we, as owners, must make the hoards of lions and tigers that will a long time, and we are good at it. public understand is that first and fore- undoubtedly escape to menace the neigh- If we, as private owners, are to be most we are not putting them at risk. borhood. Sometimes they just want juicy accorded the respect of the average per- Because of our vigilance, we are not gossip or a great story to tell. Sometimes son, we have to behave in ways that make putting ourselves into a position where we they are animal rights oriented, or they people confident of our abilities. That will need to be rescued. In addition, it want us to side with them in attacking means we must be knowledgeable about must be clear that the cat itself is happy other private owners. And sometimes they the various species, able to explain to peo- and well cared for. If avoiding the word want to be re-elected. It is up to us to ple how and why we work with them, and “pet” prevents people from thinking I am identify what they are looking for, and convey what is going on with the species no more careful with my tigers than I am decide whether we can meet their needs in the wild. By its nature, this is educa- with my dog who runs loose around the or demonstrate clearly and politely that 28 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 we are not going to be part of meeting tions and concerns. Carol agreed. The In the last few years we decided to them. Either way, we make every effort to woman she brought out was someone we write up an FAQ sheet for our staff, educate and not to alienate them. knew. She had worked briefly at a facility interns and volunteers. We wanted them to A local community organizer, Carol, where we had worked years before, whose be able to answer questions about who we had decided that we were a terrible threat safety record was of much more concern are, what our mission is, and what our to her children. The fact that she had than ours. She was very complimentary of facility perspective is on issues like pri- moved into the area long after we were our enclosures and safety planning, and vate ownership and conservation activity. established did not deter her from her reported such to Carol. We wanted them to be able to explain the efforts to get everyone worked up about Since that did not pan out, Carol began difference between animal rights and ani- our presence. Fortunately, before we insisting on holding a meeting with the mal welfare to anyone who asked. It took moved to this property, we spoke to most sheriff’s department to go over every us some time to do this, but it has made a of the community leaders, including local detail of our emergency plans. I provided difference in their ability to clarify our government officials, the sheriff’s depart- her with a copy of our plans, and she position against irresponsible animal own- ment, and several of the neighboring began calling the local law offices weekly ership of any kind as opposed to saying farmers. When Carol began to organize to demand a meeting. Our local sheriff’s that we do not think any type of wildlife community meetings to address issues of department does not have the resources to can make a good pet in the right circum- concern, we were on the agenda along play community mediator, and they stances. with drug sales and robberies. The farmers already have our plans and have discussed Having people on site who can repre- and sheriff’s department both let us know them with us. I let Carol and the sheriff’s sent us well has been a valuable tool in she was stirring up people’s fears. We department know we were happy to meet managing the inevitable difficult visitor. found out about the meetings and attended at their convenience...and after a few We expect people who are taking our one, bringing cookies and drinks. We months of scheduling conflicts, Carol guided tours to ask questions about where made ourselves available to answer ques- gave up and moved on to addressing other the animals came from and how they are tions, and offered to make a presentation terrifying dangers in our community like being kept now. We expect them to ask at the next meeting, which we did. the type of wood used to make the local questions about their diet and veterinary Though no one else from the neighbor playground equipment. We could not meet care, how they stay warm in winter and hood expressed any concerns about our her need for attention, but we could pre- how we keep them busy and entertained. presence to us, Carol assured us that there vent her from making us the Most Terrify- There is no way, however, to anticipate was still concern. She wanted to come see ing Thing in the community, and thus some of the questions people will ask if our whole property and bring an “inspec- avoid being her cause of the they are trying to find a problem. We have tor” who was supposed to be an experi- moment/attention-getting device. spent time coaching our tour guides on enced professional zookeeper that she was We have been dealing with the public how to manage these people using brutal hiring to look over everything. We much more since opening for guided tours honesty, or turn these questions back on explained to her that we were already in 2007. I am often stunned by the breath- the askers whenever possible. “Why is inspected by a qualified veterinarian who taking cluelessness of the general public that cat limping?” can be answered with issued us USDA licensing, and that the when it comes to big cats. We have nice, an explanation about the cat’s age and an surprise inspections included both animal polite answers for the people who want to explanation about the problems the cat care and public safety concerns. We did pet the tigers or ride on the lions. We have had with a bad declaw job from his first tell her that if she wanted to come out carefully worded explanations of how we owner’s veterinarian. “What are you doing with a friend, we would walk them both plan for emergencies or what we would do about it?” can be answered with an expla- around and do our best to answer ques- in case of an accident or escape. Some of nation about the glucosamine supplements the questions are real he takes and having a warm dry place to zingers, though, and be when the weather isn’t good. “Why can stump anyone the isn’t he healed completely?” is another first time they hear matter. We can explain about chronic con- them. “The boys have ditions all day, and the person may the big mane hair and remember only that we have a limping cat the girls have stripes, we cannot cure. So we get very direct. We right?” “Tigers are bad tell them that this is an ongoing condition for the environment, that we manage to the best of our ability, aren’t they?” “Can I and that like when a person gets older, drop my 4 and 6 year sometimes there are things you cannot fix. olds off for the day?” You manage. And we prefer the animal

29 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

alive and coping over euthanizing them to He looked dead. It was not the result I had been approved to do this. Just as impor- prevent the public from complaining hoped for. tant, let everyone else know they have not about their appearance at our facility, When people tour our Center, one of been approved. This folder also is a good which is often a retirement home for these the things they see is animal management place to keep a copy of a FAQ sheet you animals. That generally stops it. equipment. If you do not know anything can share with reporters. Include copies of We also came up with an answer for, about catch poles and nets, they can look your licenses and credentials, photos of “Can I drop my 4 and 6 year olds off for very important as tools of the trade. I do the animals, and if you have it, some the day?” We tell them, with a smile, not have many animals we would use a videotape of your place looking its best “Once.” catch pole on, but I have the poles here with your animals enjoying themselves. Managing the press is another issue and in public view nonetheless. We also This can provide some stock footage for that we often face. It is not a big deal to have transport crates and other equipment the press that makes private owners look bring the press in on purpose for an event, stores just in view. People ask about them. good at a time when we may need that when we assign each press member to a It has generally never occurred to the pub- positive light. If the animals are filmed by handler who knows our organization lic that we have a way of moving animals strangers when you are under duress or inside and out. Even then we find some that does not include turning them loose there are flashing lights, they may be pac- very amusing misquotes occasionally end and hoping they run the direction we want ing and upset instead of serene and up in print. One reporter had questioned them to go. They like to see the manage- relaxed, so offer reporters this option so why we fed whole prey meals, like whole ment equipment, and it gives us a chance you can be seen in the light of what your deer and chickens with feathers. Our to talk about our emergency plans and our place is normally like instead of how it experienced and press-savvy volunteer safety protocols. People leave feeling looks at that bad moment. Remember as explained that cats are obligate carnivores safer, though it may not have occurred to you select photos and video to include that that get the necessary nutritional compo- them at the time to be fearful. During the you must think hard about every way the nents from the different parts of their prey, next ice storm, while we quietly bustle public might perceive this photo—includ- including muscle meat and organs. In the madly about out here, they sit at home and ing all the negative twists that they may final run of the story, she was quoted as are bored. Instead of thinking, “I hope the put on it. Printed material and photos are having said, “Feathers are nutritious.” lions and tigers do not get out and come permanently a definition of who you are. We once had a local newspaper eat me” they think “I bet the people are Make sure the material you provide is reporter out who was new to her job, and busy pushing tigers around in those little accurate and well edited. Check the back- who was also taking pictures for the arti- cages and getting their nets ready.” Reali- ground of the photos thoroughly, and be cle. Though we gave her access to several ty vs. perception. Control what you can. sure to consider every angle a person animals in a The time to create a plan to manage the looking to make trouble might be able to way so she press is before something bad happens. use against you with this image. could take The problem may not even occur at your We have been contacted for comment nice photos own site—it may be something that hap- following the San Francisco tiger escape, without the pened elsewhere in the world. Because the Roy Horn tiger bite on stage, a death fence show- you work with similar species, the press by a pet tiger in our state, and an attack by ing, the may assume you have something worth- a rabid bobcat at a golf course in another The Caswell Messenger quality of while to say. Local press will be especially state. There is no way to anticipate every ran this very unflattering her photos interested, and local people will automati- situation that may occur, but you can photo of Jacob, taken by was not cally worry about whatever happened come up with some basic guidelines to news reporter Lauren impressive. I elsewhere happening at your place. The guide your comments that will help you Eakin. Her angle made him look more like he finally let time to make a relationship with reporters keep on point when under duress, and will was dehydrated or dead, her take pho- is before something bad happens. That help whoever is filling in for you if you than napping in the sun. tos of a nap- way they know you enough to maybe not are dealing with a crisis at your own ping tiger so jump immediately to a snap judgment, and place. she could take her time and get a nice shot they know you will be willing to speak to NEVER without fence in it. The photo that ran on them as soon as it is appropriate to do so • Blame the victim the front page of the newspaper was of the after an incident. • Attack another facility verbally napping tiger. However, the angle she had Create a kit with basic information • Guess what happened in an inci taken the picture was very odd and unflat- about your place and the animals within. dent at another location tering. Since she did not zoom in on the Identify ahead of time who is OK to speak • Say your animals could never tiger’s face at all, the photo included his to the press should something happen to hurt anyone full sleeping body on his side in the grass. you, and make sure they know they have • Say your animal could never 30 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

escape, bite, etc. owner and point the attention of the public If a difficult situation occurs at your • Lie in a beneficial direction. own place, you want to have a plan to ALWAYS Instead of attacking the SF Zoo for manage public perception already in place. • Assume the public knows noth having a cage that you know was not ade- Any emergency situation from natural dis- ing about ownership of exotics quate and did not meet the basic AZA aster to escape will catch the public’s • Assume fear is the usual public standards, explain that this is a reputable attention. You may also have a PR crisis response zoo that clearly had an issue with the caused by a disgruntled ex-employee or • Treat their fear as valid enclosure, which relies on a moat system volunteer, or a disagreement with a neigh- • Stick to known facts for containment. We all know the prob- bor. • Play down your emotional lems with moats, which can fail easily if We have even had to deal with “lion response—other people will cue ice or debris buildup inside them, or there sightings” locally. Fortunately for us, the off you is an especially athletic or motivated cat. animals they describe are not lions but • Explain why this bad thing is That information will not help the public mountain lions or cougars. The records we unlikely to happen to your facili feel any safer—it will make them even keep of the animals we have on site help ty more fearful. Stick to general platitudes us document that we have not lost any ani- • Explain the animal’s behavior if that cannot haunt you later, like: “The staff mals, which is convenient when we are you know what happened members at the zoo are trained profession- asked. In addition, the local officials who • Express regret or sorrow over the als and they are certainly looking into the know us and have visited us regularly, situation, especially over harm to problem to prevent future escapes. They know that we do not have any cougars, any people involved report that the animals have all been and they are able to tell the neighbors, It is easy to want to say in response to removed from that enclosure and it will who trust them, that this is so. People who an escape or accident that it is the fault of not be used again until this is resolved. do not know the difference between the other dumb owner or member of the This is a terrible tragedy for the family of cougars and lions, however, are quick to public who should have known better. the victim, and also a tragedy for the zoo call the sheriff’s department to excitedly However, that makes us all look bad, and staff and its visitors who have lost a report their sighting, and they are not does not do anything to allay the public’s beloved tiger. We have inspected our always ready to accept that we live in a fears that there are lots of inexperienced enclosures, none of which rely on a moat, location where cougars may yet roam. owners of dangerous wild cats out there. and are certain we will not have the same Think instead that you want to protect this type of containment failure at our site.”

31 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Editorial Shining Light Into the Dark Abyss of Tiger Extinction Kim Barker Every tiger leaves enormous footprints on the earth and in our hearts.

Lynn Culver launched the largest conservation project another aggressive fund raising campaign ever seen in Asia. That year a detailed to save this persecuted feline. This time it The Year of the Tiger dawns and tigers national survey conducted by the Indian is called the Tiger Initiative. This time, in nature are barely hanging on. While the Board of Wildlife counted 1,827 Indian the WWF is hoping to raise $13 million a exact population is unknown, and the best tigers. The next two decades saw tiger year, just for its highest priority sites. Its we can do is estimate using sampling and population estimates slowly creep up noble goal is to double the tiger popula- photo trapping, the latest published num- under this intensive effort, reaching a high tion by the next Year of the Tiger. ber is 3,200 tigers worldwide. For nearly of nearly 3, 000. The reasons for the latest population four decades a multi-national, multi-mil- This month we entered the official decline are largely man-made. Organized lion dollar effort to save this most charis- Chinese “year of the tiger.” According to criminals corrupt the villagers, the matic feline has staved off extinction, but preliminary estimates from an ongoing wildlife agencies and the governments. this iconic feline still remains critically Indian government census, their tiger pop- The locals use snares, poison, and guns to endangered. ulation is between 1,300 and 1,500, which kill tigers, and the poached bodies are In 1972 an estimated 5,000 tigers is less than half the 2002 estimate, and is processed into hide and bones and smug- existed worldwide, a 95% decrease since fewer tigers than when Operation Tiger gled into Asia for the medicinal markets. the turn of the century. The alarming was originally launched. The high prices paid for tiger parts fuels global decline in tigers led the World “Tigers could become extinct in the the multi-billion dollar black market Wildlife Fund to form Operation Tiger. wild in less than a generation,” the World industry. Governments and conservation Working at top speed, its Tiger Task Force Wildlife Fund warned as it launches yet organizations have been unable to stop the

32 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 decades of carnage, and probably never hibit commercial conservation efforts. gram found that 14 individuals were in will. Poaching, the decimation of habitat, Our husbandry success is under attack by fact, sub-species pure. the decline in the tiger’s prey, and the con- organizations that are competing with us, All healthy tigers are valuable as flicts arising from human encroachment and those organizations opposing us. Pri- genetic contributors and all need to be pro- into the remaining tiger territory continue vate owners are vilified because they have tected. Someday science and politics will to obstruct its recovery. done a better job of propagating and pro- be forced to admit this truth. This is a wake up call to us all. It is tecting tigers in America than all the We must maintain a delicate balance extremely expensive, and it is very diffi- multi-billion dollar international efforts in between community and cats. These cult to save a species from extinction. the wild. Even our tigers are under attack. felines must be managed and bred careful- Once a population dips down to critical Self-appointed experts protecting their ly; we cannot over-populate the available numbers, if the factors that brought on the conservation monopoly label all of our captive habitat. Tigers held by knowledge- extinction crisis cannot be eliminated, tigers as ‘worthless’, because, our tigers able, and compassionate individuals are there is no saving the species in nature. Bald eagles and other great birds of prey were saved because we identified the problems and corrected them. The insecti- cide DDT that was weakening eggshells was banned, and captive breeding and release programs replenished the wild populations. Reintroductions are costly and waste lives if the problems have not corrected. The US government has spent 12 years and 20 million dollars trying to restore Mexican wolves in Eastern Arizona and southwest New Mexico. A total of 92 captive-born wolves have been released. Last year's federal wolf census found 27 wolves in Arizona and 15 in New Mexico, com- pared with 23 in Arizona and 29 in New Mexico in 2008. There is no organized Robert Johnson black market driving the killing of wolves, Bengal tigers can inherit unusual coat color mutations. Here a group of adoles- but ranchers persecute them because they cent tigers living at T.I.G.E.R.S. preserve display three coat colors; orange with are predators. Those 42 wolves living in black stripes, cinnamon with red stripes, and white with black stripes. nature carry a price tag to taxpayers of nearly half a million dollars each. In the case of tigers, our captive cats are not listed in their studbooks. These the species’ hope for the future. We must should not be risked for reintroduction ‘experts’ have launched an insane media educate the public about the importance because the problems that brought on this campaign of hate for all tigers possessing and need for our captive population of catastrophe still remain. There is no reason pelage color mutations. tigers, and defend these great cats from to sacrifice the lives of more tigers by At a time when every single animal is those who wish them harm. placing them into what is surely harm’s precious, how can the media quote as fact The conservationists and international way. such shortsighted, self-serving opinions? organizations and governments of the Benevolent captivity is a necessary Here are some real facts. There are 550 world will continue to debate the merits of hedge against extermination. Now more Amur tigers held in global facilities, repre- captive husbandry and commercial activi- than ever, this is the truth. But for our cap- senting the offspring from 109 founders. ties. Conservation is politics; I doubt any- tive tigers to survive into the future, we And worldwide, the population of Bengal thing will ever change, or a consensus will must protect and manage them. The habi- tigers is just 210 individuals, all descents ever be achieved. tat we have created in the United States for from just 29 founders. For decades the US In the meantime, we must resist the tigers is disappearing. Animal extremist population of bengal tigers have been pre- forces attempting to manage our tigers into organizations are pressuring legislators to served by private facilities, after the Asso- the dark abyss of extinction. A remarkable pass laws that prohibit our facilities. Our ciation of Zoos and Aquariums abandoned relationship built on love and trust integrity is under attack by TRAFFIC. the conservation of this sub-species in the between man and tiger has formed, and it This wildlife trade-monitoring network early 1980’s. compels us to be guardians for this mag- accuses us of participating in the global How much valuable genetic diversity nificent icon of wildness. Our deep com- black market trade in tiger body parts, remains in the US, held by private non- passion drives us to protect all tigers, those even though no evidence exists to substan- AZA member facilities, undocumented, living with us, and those surviving in tiate this assumption. Instead of helping and unverified? To try to answer that ques- nature. tigers by funding genetic testing, TRAF- tion, a 2008 genetic study of 62 tigers not FIC is proposing federal legislation to pro- enrolled in any organized breeding pro- 33 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 African Safari Sweepstakes Winner Chosen During Fundraiser prey including pere- recount stories of the difficulties, trials grine falcon, European and tribulations they endured over the eagle owl, screech owl years attaining the master falconer rank. I and red tailed hawk to learned it really takes a special and dedi- name a few. The ani- cated individual to train and rehabilitate mals on display were birds of prey. Just as exotic cat owners fantastic, and provided struggle with ownership rules and regula- an opportunity for tions, so do falconers. Within the next few everyone to get up years, for the first time, falconers will be close to examine and allowed to possess an unlimited number ask questions. FCF of eagles. These successes were hard won members Leah and and demonstrate some of the progress we Bobby Aufill from Oklahoma contributed to the refreshments by bringing some of their authentic southwestern salsa and chips.They Brad Webster adjusts young serval so photographer also brought Thunder, Richard Shull can take a portrait. their six-month-old bobcat. Kurt Beckelman, Wayne Sluder FCF Treasurer, was there providing support for the event. Mena, Arkansas – On Saturday, Janu- Tommy Young, Director of the Eurasian eagle owl spreads her wings ary 16th the Feline Conservation Federa- Arkansas Native Wildlife Center gave a on command. tion partnered with the Arkansas Native presentation on the successes of the Wildlife Center to support a fundraiser for Wildlife Center over the years. An impres- have made with bringing some of these a new American Black Bear rehabilitation sive number of animals have been rehabil- fine birds back from the brink of extinc- facility. The Wildlife Center located in itated at the center. In the past 27 years, 14 tion. Rich Mountain, 11 miles outside of Mena, bears were rehabilitated and released into Special guest and dignitary, Chief Lee Arkansas is involved in the rehabilitation the wild. Thousands of hawks and owls Standing Bear of the Manataka American of injured North American wildlife. Lynn were rescued. As many as 22 Bald Eagles Indian Council presented an honorary Culver, Executive Director of the Feline and 18 Golden Eagles were rehabilitated. membership to Tommy Young. Manataka Conservation Federation, helped to orga- The center rescued and rehabilitated over means, “Place of Peace.” For many Native nize and spoke at the event. Lynn, her 20,000 mammals during this time. Tommy Americans, Manataka is a sacred place. husband Bart, and friend Brad also asked many of the falconers that were pre- For thousands of years, various tribes brought several exotic cats to the event. A sent to speak about their birds and to around North America traveled in peace young African Serval and Caracal were brought to offer visitors a close up view of these cats and also, provide photo opportunities. Sharon Scott worked with Lynn to organize the event and set up donations. The event was televised live on a local community based cable TV channel produced by Rudy Timmerman of the Rich Mountain Community College. A silent auction, “canned” raffle, door prizes and refreshments kept everyone entertained during the event. The drawing for the African Safari was scheduled for a later time on the event agenda. A large roll cage containing around one thousand African Safari entries occupied a center A room full of licensed falconers share red-tailed hawk, peragrin falcon, screech place. In the audience were seven regis- owl and other birds of prey at the Arkansas Native Plant and Animal Center fund tered master falconers holding birds of raiser.

34 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 to this site to perform ceremonies, and membership into the Manataka American stumbled on the last name, “Wayne…,” share the “gift of the healing waters.” This Indian Council. In accepting this member- Lynn, reading over his shoulder chimes in place is now known to us as Hot Springs ship, this person is committed to having a “Sluder… Wayne Sluder!” National Park. sincere desire to learn, and to teach My wife, Rhonda, and daughter A transcript of Chief Standing Bear’s indigenous ways, maintain a good heart, Phoebe were with me as we accepted winning the raffle. We were so excited. Rhon- da could not believe it. Three months before the event I had purchased four raffle tickets to support the FCF. I do not think anyone ever expects to actually win a raffle. However, I knew it was for a good cause and did not hesitate to send in my donation. The African Safari is an awesome trip to South Africa for a six day, six night stay at the Zulu Nyala game lodge. It included round trip airfare and open Jeep safaris into the bush each day. After winning the trip, my wife and I discussed when we would be able to go. Our daughter is 16 months old and Rhonda is 7 months pregnant, so we knew it would really take some planning! After some careful thought we decided that now was not the time for us to be taking our young daughter on such an adventurous trip. Not to mention our infant daughter due in April. So, we put the ticket up for sale on the Yahoo FCF group mail list. I immedi- Rudy Timmerman and Tommy Young hold microphones for Standing Bear. ately began receiving inquiries and within days the trip was sold. Marisa Katnic and presentation follows: and spirit, and love of the great creator, her friend Allison Navarro are the lucky “It is so vitally important that you are mother earth and all people, unselfishly two FCF members who will be going on here today because you are here in order give to the advancement of indigenous the trip. I think they are planning to go to give honor to our friends. The two- culture, and to work for the rebirth of around August/September and I am sure legged, the ones with wings, those that sacred places worldwide.” we will hear some great stories when they swim and crawl, and our cousins, the four- Amanda Morningstar, Standing Bear’s return. As an added bonus, $1,000 of the legged. When we lose them, I can’t imag- daughter, played drums and sang a song in sale was donated to the FCF general fund! ine a world without our friends or our tribute to an elder that had recently cousins. We are so close to that point passed. Tommy Young, Standing Bear and where so many species are endangered others joined in. A today. It makes one’s heart very heavy. It second song was makes our spirit sad from the knowledge called a Community that if we don’t do something and do song that everyone something quickly, then we are going to including the audi- lose a very vital part of our existence. ence, participated in Without them, who are we? singing. A short time We were placed here on this earth to later, Chief Standing do only one thing, to tend the garden. To Bear was asked to do watch the garden, and all of its beautiful the honors and select creatures. We must return to a time that the winner of the we regard the earth as being sacred. Every African Sweepstakes. step we take is precious and we should With Lynn Culver honor it. holding the micro- The Manataka American Indian Coun- phone, Standing Bear cil comprises a lot of people from all over spun the raffle cage the country. We support many worthwhile and selected a ticket. and magnificent things including Tommy I could not believe it Standing Bear draws the winning ticket for the African Young and the Wildlife Center. We have when Standing Bear Safari sweepstakes. something to present to Tommy. This is a read the name and 35 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Tazmir and Teela same reverence many people dedicate to children or spouses. We did not ask them to entertain us. We never tried to domesticate them. We wanted to learn everything about our two cougars and to give them love so deep they would never feel depri- vation in their life that was never to be wild. In return, we were given the cougar-love of their

Tom Roper bonding, with us as protec- Tazmir and Teela posing as book ends. tor and provider. We felt the love that flowed between them Julie Roper bestowed to us, as they searched us out every day to give us Back in 1997, fantasy turned real when grooming, nuzzling, endless vocalizations, my husband and I welcomed into our and head butts with trills. home Tazmir, the first of our two cougars. Tazmir and Teela lived inside with us Tom Roper The idea of sharing our daily lives most of their lives in an intimate, relaxed, A special love shared between Julie with a beautiful big cat was wondrous beautiful series of daily vignettes. and Tazmir. beyond imagination, we entered our The memories I have of these years are dream by building our home around a the memories that make me glad to have templation moves in the heart and mind of cougar's special needs. lived at all. Teela was 9 when she died a big cat. We did not bring Tazmir into our life, four years ago from heart problems. Our Having had a life with Tazmir and though, just as fantasy fulfillment. He epic dream totally disintegrated yesterday Teela has taught me more than I can ever immediately became our top priority, as [January 30, 2010], when Tazmir abruptly fully explain to another human. I discov- we struggled to give him and, later Teela, died at 13 from an aneurism. ered though that it is the human species a life brimming with love, fun, enrich- Our loss is profound in many ways but that is limited in depth and contemplation ment, balance, and tranquility. especially now that laws make it near by our domestication and that when we And always uppermost in our minds impossible to share your home and life lose the wild, it is our spirit that becomes was the resolve to protect them from the with such magnificent animals, in all their extinct. multitude of evils that await displaced big grace and complexity. For all of those graced to be keeper of cats. We made that commitment with the We kept our promise to both our this wild breed, breathe in as much of the babies. They never suffered hunger or life with them as you can. unsuitable diet. Their territory remained It is an empty silence when the dream their sanctuary their entire lives. They ends and only vapors remain. Vapors and played with each other, almost as wild and the harsh cries for more restrictive, new free as two cubs, with hardly a care in the laws. world. All their life, they never felt fear greater than fear of the evil vacuum cleaner. The swell of pro- hibition laws that consumed private ownership has taken from us the chance to share this experience again or to delight in the experiences of others who are yet to Tom Roper

discover how much Tom Roper Taz and little ‘sister’ Teela explore the depth and active con- pond in their outdoor enclosure. Taz and Teela rumble in the grass.

36 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Evolution to Wildlife Educator - It all started with Rufus Nora Battista haven for domestic cats as well as wildcats. He was espe- If someone would have asked me five cially interested in bobcats as years ago what my plans for the future they are indigenous to Michi- were, the answer would have been very gan and such beautiful cats. different from the course my life is on We searched the internet right now. I certainly hadn’t envisioned a for information about bobcats. life with two bobcats in it. I also never We were amazed to find how saw myself speaking in front of groups of much information was out kids about wildlife and habitat preserva- there. We wanted to know tion. I could not have imagined that I everything! We wanted to would be making plans to build a wild know how to raise them from animal sanctuary. Things don’t always cubs, what kind of habitat is turn out the way you plan and maybe stimulating and fun for bob- Young Rufus gets into everything, including the that’s a good thing. cats, and how to create a dishwasher. After our kids were grown and we healthy diet for a bobcat. We found ourselves empty nesters, my hus- researched the state laws and questions and concerns for caring for a bobcat as well as a reliable source for information on conservation and preservation on all wild felines. We made a decision to get our bobcat baby “Rufus”. We picked him up when he was eight weeks old. His sister accompa- nied him and was picked up by another woman at the airport. We met her and promised to keep in touch and exchange info and ideas about caring for our new precious babies. Our bobcat experience was about to begin, what an adventure it would be! We bottle fed Rufus, cuddling with him alongside a giant stuffed tiger while he drank from his bottle. We wiped his butt until he was able to clean himself up. We were amazed that he used the toilet and that he loved to play in water. We figured out how to play with him without getting bit. His favorite game is “Hide and Stalk”. Our home went through a lot of Rufus really is ‘toilet trained’. changes as we added play areas for him, and put away breakables and what he band Jim and I started rescuing domestic permits to own a bobcat. We wanted to thinks are edibles. He fit in well with our cats. We discovered that there were many know how bobcats behave. Would they other animals. As a matter of fact he cats that needed a home for so many dif- be happy in the habitat we created for formed a special bond with our golden ferent reasons. After we had what I them? We wanted to know if we would be retriever “Basil”. Rufus loves being with thought were enough, Jim introduced the able to handle a bobcat and how it would him. The only time we hear him purr is idea of getting a wild cat, specifically a adapt to us and to the other animals in our when he is laying next to his buddy Basil. bobcat. Honestly I thought he was nuts! home. We researched the costs of provid- Rufus’s sister’s “Mom” kept her But after talking to him I realized he was ing all that bobcats need. promise to keep in touch with us. She serious, not only about getting a bobcat, During our internet search we came loved her bobcat Zoe, however her family but also about his plan of rescuing wild across the FCF Website. After reading the was giving her a hard time as she was cats. He told me that when he retired he information on the site about raising and planning on having a baby and they didn’t wanted to open an animal sanctuary. He caring for wild cats we were confident feel it would be safe to have a bobcat in wanted to rescue and to provide a safe that we would have a resource for all our the house. She asked us if we could take

37 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

raised and conditioned for this. However, we do bring other small animals such as use turtles, rabbits, and sugar glider. Our main goal is to teach awareness and respect for wildlife and for the environment. Using the techniques and ideas taught at the educator’s class we have come up with presentations that are fun and interesting for kids as well as educational. After each presentation I always leave a FCF and an APWE brochure with the teacher. Raising our two bobcats is proving to be an awesome experience. Our daily interaction with them brings us so much enjoyment. They are a continuing source of wonder and amusement. Their presence in our lives has brought new awareness of During our children’s wildlife awareness programs, we let the kids wear giant wild feline conservation and has afforded shells on their backs so they can be turtles for awhile. us many new learning experiences. We Zoe. Because we were having so much wildlife education but that class changed have made new friends who share our fun and success with Rufus we were more our minds. We have put together some interests and our enthusiasm for these than willing to take his sister. We hoped simple wildlife presentations geared amazing cats. As we make plans for our that brother and sister would just love toward young students. We found an animal sanctuary we continue to educate being together again. It did not go as well abundance of information on building a ourselves about wild feline ownership and as we hoped. There were a few scuffles presentation around a certain animal or conservation efforts. We look forward to and a lot of loud and weird vocalizations, theme students may be learning about. We the prospect of an exciting and rewarding but after a while they began to tolerate one do not use our bobcats as “animal ambas- future, one that will definitely include our another. Now although they don’t exactly sadors” in our programs since they were much loved bobcats. cuddle, they do “talk” to each other and not play together. In 2008 we attended the FCF Basic Wild /Feline Husbandry Course held in Panama City, Florida and then toured Jim and Bertie Broaddus’s Bear Creek Feline Center. We learned new things about handling and caring for our bobcats from the course such as behavior conditioning and contingency planning, and plenty about regulatory agencies that we had not been aware of. We returned home confident that we were on the right track to keeping our bobcats healthy, happy and safe. This past summer we attend our first FCF convention in Salinas, California. It was an awesome experience. We were especially interested to learn about the different ways Charlie Sammut found to ÿ ÁÂ ÁÃÁÄÃÿÿÿÁÁ build and fund his ranch. We got a lot of good ideas that we hope to someday Ã Ãÿ ÁÁ ÁÁ Á Ä ÄÁ implement at our own sanctuary. Á Ã Á ! While at the convention we attended the FCF Wildlife Educator’s course and " Ä ÁÿÃ ÿÿÁÿÿÂÿÃÿ ÿÂ ÃÿÃÿ ÿ ÿÁ were very impressed by the presentation # Ä ÃÁ by Ron DeArmond. We had never considered becoming evolved in community

38 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Animal Spirit Guides Lee Standing Bear Moore Thank the Creator for what we have or spiritual dogma or doctrine -- and this is what we will receive; something that is a big no, no. A long time ago, humans were created Use all of what we have; (Organized religions are quite comfort- to be caretakers of the garden -- Mother Give away what we do not need. able and totally dependent on man's writ- Earth. They held all things of creation American Indians know to respect ten dogma or doctrine for their survival sacred. The people respected Nature and Nature and kill only what we eat and to and faith. We call this regimentation understood they were only a small part of use every part of the animal. We do not "Spiritual Thought Boxes" because there the whole circle of life. Humans knew waste life nor disrespect their spirits but is little or no room for individual divine each part of creation played a significant honor and thank them for providing us revelation found within the confines of a role in the contentment and survival of the with life and comfort. We ask our spirit controlling dogma. Nearly the opposite is other. They accepted the divine idea that guides to lead us to the spirit of the animal found within American Indian beliefs that all things were equal and no animal, we killed for food so that we may pray in allow for infinite meanings and interpreta- including man, held dominion over other thanksgiving to its spirit. We honor their tions that we call "Spiritual Freedom." In parts of creation. cousins by leaving a gift where the animal the same way every thing of creation is Humankind knew if they attempted to fell. different from all other things, so it is with conquer Mother Earth, they would bring Today, as in the old days, American our spiritual beliefs - founded within the great suffering upon themselves. Man Indians give special recognition to the uninhibited nature of all Creation.) knew that Nature was not ‘wild’ and hos- power of the animal spirits. We wear their Therefore, we caution you: Statements tile but was a benevolent friend. Then, by skins and feathers in ceremony and dance. we sometimes make about the traits, a twist of organized religious dogma, We paint them on our bodies and carry habits and particular distinguishing quali- many began to think humans are the great- parts of them in our medicine bags. We ties of various animals, are in no way est and most important part of creation paint the animals on our homes and wear intended to give a human definition or and they saw Nature as ‘fallen’ and sinful. animal fetishes. meaning to other spiritual entities, objects Man has attempted to divorce himself These practices allow us to remain or things. Messages of this nature can from Nature to the detriment of all cre- connected to the animal guides so they only come to the individual through the ation. may teach us their powers and give us Creator. American Indians, also known as the lessons of life. These acts remind us that Some say knowledge of the natural People of the Land, traditionally and his- all things in creation are our brothers, sis- power of animal guides has been lost. torically hold a special knowledge of the ters, cousins, and more importantly, our This is not so. Many people think animals land and its inhabitants. Intimate knowl- teachers and friends. As humans, we too are not spiritual – having no spirit or soul. edge of the world surrounding the Ameri- are animal spirits. Most think animals are less intelligent can Indian was possible because of a American Indians view all things in than humans, savage and without society belief system that considered all things of creation as having spiritual energy. All or conscience. This is not so. creation equal and necessary, worthy of things are connected and worthy of our It is said that man once spoke with the respect and honor. respect and reverence. Our way is to seek animals; however, man lost this ability and The result of the American Indian balance and harmony within the complex other powers when he placed himself belief system is tremendously beneficial to tapestry of life called the Great Circle of above the animals as master of the earth the world. We gave the world knowledge Life. As we move within the circle, we having dominion over all things. of a form of government now enjoyed by emphasize these truths: Truly, the intellect of animal is differ- people of the United States – democracy. Everything on earth is alive; ent from that of man. Animals are taught American Indians first domesticated over Everything on earth has purpose; differently and speak in different ways. half of today’s world food resources. A Everything on earth is connected; When intelligence is measured in human vast majority of the world’s pharma- Everything on earth is to be embraced. terms, the animal does not fair well, but if copoeia (healing medicine) came from the A principal tenant of our belief is that the test were reversed, humans would fail American Indian’s tremendous knowledge all things are connected and we are related to measure up to animal standards. of the plant kingdom. Our knowledge of to all things in the circle. Animals know the time and place to plant medicines, healing stones, healing All things on Earth Mother and all migrate, but man cannot find his way clay, and animal wisdom is unmatched things in the Universe are capable of being without a compass or the stars. Animals among any people in history. Spirit Guides. Why? Because the Spirit live well without the need of tools or Although there are over five hundred of the Creator is in all things. weapons. Man cannot. Animals are American Indian tribes, speaking more Each thing on Earth Mother and each happy and contented in their environment. than one hundred and fifty languages, thing in the Universe has its own particu- Man is not. Animals live among their there exists universal beliefs that tran- lar appearance, traits and other distin- families all their lives. Man does not. scend ethnic, cultural and geographic guishing qualities. In a general way, we Animals have found the right way to live boundaries. can draw certain lessons from these traits with their limitations and skills without Common among those traditional and qualities for each object or thing in the rancor or strife. Man has not. teachings are the basic beliefs that we universe. We do not and should not should: attach a particular "meaning" to these excerpted from Spirit Guides and Never take more than we need; things as to do so would be like creating Totems 39 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

40 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 A Learning Experience Shared if she had moved. telling Scot… Get the dextrose and the No movement. I put heating pad ready! He got the supplies for my coveralls and me, and he went back to warming the snow boots on and other baby, just in case. headed out into the I couldn’t believe it! Over the next ice storm to try to several minutes I watched this baby fight check on them. I for its life and come back to us. After went to the den box, some time in the warm water I vigorously which is hooked on dried her with a soft towel while holding to the outside of the her next to my chest in my sweatshirt. She enclosure, and was moving and crying weakly, but still called her name and crying! listened. Nothing, I knew that hypoglycemia was a seri- no sounds, no hiss- ous risk with moribund neonates, so I ing and no babies gave her 50% dextrose solution, a drop or crying. My experi- two at a time, under her tongue every 5 or ence told me this 10 minutes, while carefully continuing to was not normal, and warm her. Within 30 minutes, her voice was definitely cause was strong and she was suckling my fin- for concern. gers. After making sure her body tempera- I went down ture was up to normal, I gave her weak the hallway and into formula, and then started the long night of Teresa Shaffer her enclosure as far as I dared, but still hourly feedings. couldn’t see her or hear any movement. I We passed the first big hurdle, bring- After many, many days of watching felt I had no choice but to go back to the ing her back from death. But I knew the TV (not the Olympics, CSI or American den box and check on them. I carefully ordeal was just beginning. A neonate that Idol) the video camera feed from our ser- lifted the hatch just an inch or two to peek survives the stress of a hypothermic val girl’s den box, the day finally came! in. Nothing, no movement. Then, I heard a episode is not out of the woods. And, And along with this day came an ice storm hiss and a hard swat at the box. Momma while passive maternal immunity is too. Moma had made a nice nest in the was definitely ok, but still I didn’t hear received through the placenta, this kitten straw, but unfortunately, it was in the any sounds from the kittens. did not have the added benefit of getting opposite corner as the heating pad. She Scot returned three hours later. I was colostrum from nursing her serval mother. had been restless all day, usual for her sure things were not right. Out we both The kitten drank from the bottle. We when getting close to birthing. went, with a spotlight and a warm carrier gave her time with a domestic cat, and she My husband and I had an educational (just in case). After much coaxing, Scot would nurse on the domestic’s nipples program to do that evening and of course was able to lure her out of her box and even though it was not lactating. We were the first baby was born an hour before we block the opening. I opened the hatch and cautiously hopeful, but this kitten only needed to leave. Scot called his mom to my fears were justified. Two lifeless, cold lived a couple of days. Her transition from fill in for me and headed out. babies lay beside the heated floor pad, strong to weak took just a matter of hours, I was thinking, no worries, as this (but not on it) covered in the nest of straw. and then she passed away forever. momma was experienced and should be I brought them into the house and I What went wrong? Fading kitten syn- fine. Shortly after he left, the baby, or tried to revive them in a sink of warm drome has many causes, including being babies, were very loud and sounded water. I don’t know what made me do born premature, or born with birth defects. strong. The serval mom had her back to that, as they were obviously gone. Maybe Another killer is secondary sepsis from the camera and was blocking my view. it was just too much to bear and I just felt either viral or bacterial origin. Aspiration After several minutes or so of crying, the I had to try something. pneumonia can result if the kitten inhales sounds tapered off, which would suggest After soaking them in the warm water contaminated fluid at birth. that they had found the milk bar. for a few minutes nothing happened. I felt I am writing this article to share this After a half hour of watching the mon- very depressed as I headed back to the experience with fellow breeders. Don’t itor, there were no sounds or movement kitchen to wrap them in a towel to bury give up in a crisis, and try to stay calm. from kittens or momma. Her back was to them later. It was then, out of the corner of Even if the end result isn’t always a happy the camera. I needed to get a better look my eye, I saw the smallest of the kittens one, it is a good feeling to know you did so I went to the front door and opened the barely stretch its neck and open its mouth. everything you could, and help ease those door and called out to her, and then quick- What! How could this be? I ran the baby ‘should of’, would of’ ‘could ofs’! ly I ran back to the TV and checked to see back to the sink of warm water while 41 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Wildcat Rescue Gets Help from Feline Conservation Federation Wildcat Safety Net Roger Newson to be “animal cruelty.” FCF Director of Public Relations Officials obtained a warrant to seize the ani- Jeff Kozlowski, founder of Wis- mals after being notified consin Big Cat Rescue & Educational that the couple was ille- Center contacted the Feline Conserva- gally harboring the wild tion Federation (FCF) to apply for cats. An agreement financial assistance through the FCF’s regarding the cats was Wildcat Safety Net Fund to transport reached during the dispo- two white tigers, three black leopards sition hearing where crim- and one puma that were recently inal charges against Ms. seized by county officials in Marion Hoffman and Mr. Lulling County, Texas. were dropped and the wild A disposition hearing had been cats were given over to Cougar will get a new life in Wisconsin. conducted on February 4, 2010 at Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue Marion County’s district courtroom and Educational Center transported the 6 cats back to Wiscon- regarding the seizure of more than 50 and other Texas wildlife facilities. sin. animals from 950 Lewis Chapel Road, Ms. Hoffman visited the wild cats “These cats have been housed in where former circus queen Barbara to say her final goodbyes before they cramped roll-out cages for way too Hoffman and her business partner, left on their long drive north. She long, so let’s get them to a place they Fred Lulling, reside. removed the collars from the cougars will be safe, can roam around in Ms. Hoffman and Lulling were and tigers at the request of Mr. grassy enclosures, have plenty of arrested the day before on six counts Kozlowski. enrichment, and good health care. of animal cruelty after county and The FCF Board of Directors quick- We’ll give these cats a chance at a state officials seized domestic and ly approved the Wildcat Safety Net peaceful and happy life, and a chance exotic animals, including 10 jungle committee’s recommendation to grant for the public to learn about them.” up the maximum The mission of Wisconsin Big Cat amount of $1,000 to Rescue and Educational Center is to Wisconsin Big Cat provide a safe place and a comfortable Rescue and Educa- home for abused, neglected, and tional Center to unwanted big cats, and also to educate defray transport the public about these extraordinary expenses. Addition- animals and the actions that necessi- al donations to aid tate the need for the center. this transfer can be Mr. Kozlowski has been working given to the Safety with big cats for about 8 years, and Net fund in the established the USDA licensed non- name of the Wis- profit facility in March of 2005. His consin facility and goal in life is to give what he can to will be forwarded wild cats and help these majestic crea- as well. tures as much as possible. One of the tigers in its cramped enclosure. Before heading While making their way to Texas, for Texas, Mr. Mr. Kozlowski and his team endured Kozlowski estimated hazardous driving conditions through cats. Their bond was set at $30,000 his organization needed $4,000.00 to snow and ice covered highways. The each. Dr. Carol Hedges, a local vet- $5,000.00 in donations, explaining, return trip was even worse. Black ice erinarian who assisted at the seizure, “This will cover cost for transferring on the roadway brought the team to a testified that most animals “appeared the cats, cage building, food, and vet complete standstill until conditions to be in good health.” However, she care when they get here.” Jeff and vol- finally improved. Thankfully, there considered their cramped confinement unteers drove down to Texas and 42 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010

were no issues with Wildcat Safety Net could fund this the loading and secur- relocation effort. Once again, the pri- ing of the cats. vate feline community and supporters The FCF Safety cooperated to ensure that endangered Net team was grateful felines are safe from harm. that these great cats Mr. Kozlowski worked with two could be relocated to other Wisconsin facilities to secure suitable environments placement for three of the big cats. and certainly com- After they arrived in Wisconsin, Casey mends Mr. Kozlowski Lugwig, a Wisconsin zoo owner, and his volunteers for picked up the two tigers and the their efforts. Execu- cougar and drove them to their final tive Director, Lynn destinations. The female tiger and Tigers, cougar and leopards were housed in transport Culver stated, “We are female cougar are now at Animal sized cages. happy that the FCF Haven Farm Zoo, a no-kill animal shelter and zoo. The cougar was successfully introduced to three other females at the Animal Haven Zoo and they immediately welcomed her to the group. The tiger is still in quaran- tine, awaiting veterinary assessment of her condition. Mr Lugwig transported the remaining male tiger to his zoo, where he had prepared a habitat especially for this sight-impaired cat. The tiger’s vision is very poor due to cataracts. At this time his access to the higher resting platforms has been blocked until he becomes familiar with his new environment. The two black leopards are now living together at Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue and Educational Center where they finally have room to run. The abrupt change in climate, unfamiliar people, and new enclosure has the black pair somewhat spooked, so they are spending most of their time inside their warm dens boxes. The female spotted leopard was introduced to the resident spotted male, an older feline that has been neutered and declawed. The habitat has two separate den areas, and a feeding area connected to a larger exercise area. Mr. Kozlowski reports that the introduction went well, and both leopards are getting along, sharing a sleeping den and eating together in the feeding area.

43 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Jaguar: Feline King of the New World occasionally be sympatric (sharing territory) with the cougar (Felis or Puma con- color). In spite of environmental preferences, the jaguar is highly adaptable and has ranged from the humid lowland tropics, to both low and high elevations in the arid Southwest region of the Unit- ed States. Outside the U.S., the jaguar was declared endangered, and became a “protected species” in 1973. Because of several actual sightings of wild jaguars in southeast Arizona in 1996, jaguars were included as a protected and endangered species within the U.S. in 1997. Jaguars are mainly terrestrial, but they do climb trees. Michelle Mills shot this photo of a Jaguars inhabited southern jaguar lounging on a limb in Belize. areas (perhaps up to 40 degrees north latitude) of William Smith, Ph.D. cubs are most common, but occasionally what is now the United States, during the four cubs are born. Cubs are normally Pleistocene epoch (2 million years ago, to The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the weaned at three months, but may remain 10,000 years before present - BP). Pleis- largest (by weight) indigenous feline liv- with the mother for as long as two years. tocene jaguar remains dated to 40,000 and ing in the New World. The very largest Jaguars are one of the longest lived 11,500 BP have been found as far north as regional variation or subspecies of jaguars felines. Jaguars have been known to suc- Missouri. These progenitor Ice Age are those of the Amazon Basin, which cessfully produce young well after the age may weigh as much as 350 pounds. Local- of twenty. Lifespan in the wild is com- ly known as el tigre or tiger, the jaguar is monly 12-15 years, but captive jaguars considered to have the most powerful bit- have lived as long as 27 years. As an ing capability of all living felines. The adult, the jaguar is most often a crepuscu- extreme biting ability of the jaguar specif- lar (active at dawn and dusk), solitary, ically evolved in order to quickly kill stalk/ambush hunter. Jaguars are consid- armored reptiles, such as turtles, the ered to be an apex or keystone predator, caiman, and alligator. In Addition, the exerting important influences on the jaguar is clearly one of the most aquatic ecosystems in which they live. At least 87 felines, comparable to, or surpassing the different jaguar prey species have been Asian tiger for its fondness for water and documented. Jaguars are capable of con- swimming. suming as much as 25 kilos of fresh meat This monograph is primarily con- at one time. Jaguars prefer a rainforest Large canines and jaws that open cerned with four existing subspecies of environment, especially those ecosystems wide give jaguars a strong and deadly jaguar - P. o. hernandesii – west Mexico, which also have deepwater riverine condi- bite. P. o. arizonensis – southern Arizona to tions. Female jaguars’ territory is typically Sonora, Mexico, P. o. veracrucis –T exas 25-40 sq. miles, and may overlap with the jaguars originally came from northern to south east Mexico, and P. o. goldmani territories of other females. Male territory Asia via the Bering Land Bridge, and are –Y ucatan, Belize, and Guatemela. is typically 50-80 sq. miles, and does not thought to have weighed at least 450 lbs. Adult jaguars are normally solitary, usually overlap with the territory of other Since the end of the Pleistocene (10,000 and separate soon after mating. The gesta- males. Because of somewhat differing BP), the jaguar may have intermittently tion period is typically 93-105 days. Two prey species and habits, the jaguar may inhabited the resource rich riverine sys-

44 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 tems of the lower Mississippi Valley and archaeologic exca- Gulf Coastal Plain, until the beginning of vation in the state European colonialization. This former of Veracruz, Mexi- jaguar resident of the northern Gulf co revealed the Coastal Plain area may be one of several, skeleton of a 30 now extinct jaguar subspecies, which year-old man. He existed throughout the western hemi- had been buried in sphere. These humid lowland areas of the a painted rock shel- lower Mississippi and northern Gulf ter approximately Coastal Plain have dense temperate/sub- Ancient image of 4500 years ago. tropical forests, numerous slow moving were-jaguar statue. Several of his teeth rivers, and a diverse variety of known pre- had been deliberate- ferred jaguar prey species. These riverine ly filed down for the presumed purpose of prey species include turtles, alligators, An unknown deity emerges from the attaching jaguar canines or dentures to his large fish such as gar, large water snakes, mouth of the divine jaguar in a terra- modified teeth. This is the very earliest and numerous aquatic migratory and resi- cotta piece from the Zapotec city of evidence of jaguar zoomorphic ritualiza- dent birds. Stone platform smoking pipes Monte Alban. tion, or “were-wolfism,” and the earliest attributed to the prehistoric Mississippian dated dental procedure performed in the culture, which apparently portray large, which were intricately carved with figures Western Hemisphere. The practice of long-tailed felines with spots, have been associated with calendrics and astronomy. using jaguar teeth and spotted skin as found in sites such as Spiro, which is Were-jaguars markers of authority and shamanism was located in eastern Oklahoma. During the One of the early eventually to become widespread in 1930s, an archaeologic jaguar skeleton ritual complexes ancient Mesoamerica. was excavated from a cave in western involving the jaguar The Jaguar Portrait as Symbolic Tennessee. These and other artifacts may took place during the Icon suggest the presence of jaguars in the early Mesoamerican Throughout ancient Mesoamerica the woodland Southeast approximately 1000 Preclassic period icon or image of the jaguar was a clear years ago. As recently as 1900, jaguars (1600 BC – AD 150). symbol of authority, royalty and shaman- occupied areas of the American southwest The Olmec of the ism. The northern section of the pyramid Olmec artwork as far north as the Grand Canyon, and as Gulf coast of Tabasco complex at the Midclassic Period Olmec depicts the far west as coastal southern California. and Veracruz, Mexico site of La Venta, Mexico has been inter- jaguar costume The actual or mythic realm of the believed that at a dis- preted to be a gigantic stylized jaguar Chichimecs (progenitors of the later associated with mask or face (Coe 1994). Also excavated the Aztec military tant time, a woman Toltecs and Aztecs of central Mexico) was at the site of La Venta were three rectan- order of the had cohabited with a referred to as Aztlan (Coe 1994). The pre- gular mosaic pavements, each measuring jaguar knigts. jaguar (Coe 1994). historic northern boundries of the realm of This union gave rise about 15 by 20 feet. Each pavement is Aztlan, corresponded to the natural north- to a race of were-jaguars, having the com- composed of 485 flattened blocks of ser- ern range of the jaguar. This area includes bined features of felines and humans. The pentine, and are thought to be abstract areas west to southern California and the concept of the were-jaguar is at the heart Pacific coast, north to at least the Grand of Olmec cosmology and civilization. Canyon, and east to the lowland riverine Dominant Olmec art styles centered upon areas of the southeast, including Texas, representations of creatures, which com- southeast Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana bined the features of a snarling jaguar and Tennessee. Sometime around AD with those of a weeping human infant. 1350, the Postclassic Period Mixtec peo- Many examples of fat, sexless, were- ple of the eastern Valley of Oaxaca, Mexi- jaguar babies are depicted in Olmec co buried one of their noblemen in an art/religion. In the Gulf Coast region, the Ancient Olmec culture mosaic based already ancient tomb in the hilltop site of were-jaguar may have been associated upon the image of the jaguar. This Monte Alban. Among the great treasures with a rain or fertility cult. A recent of the burial were two jaguar longbones, one is from the site of La Venta. To right: Post-classic Mexican graphic jaguar image in the form of a tex- tile stamp.

45 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 jaguar masks. These pavements were and taker of life, lord of sorcerers, and ic ware (a signature ceramic product of deliberately buried under many feet of patron of warriors. Classic Period Teotihuacan), orange clay and adobe soon after construction. At Jaguars, Maize and the “World monarch butterflies, and orange marigolds the Classic Period Maya site of Palenque Turtle” and zinnias. The venom of the large, high- in Chiapas, Mexico, stylized clay jaguar The turtle is a traditional Mesoameri- ly ritualized east Mesoamerican rat- head/masks are stacked in totem fashion can totemic animal, and a cosmologic tlesnake (genus Crotalus) has the same on terra cotta tubes, which were used to symbol of the physical world. Because of color as fresh orange juice. contain ritual incense. The central object observed specialized biting capability, the Conclusion within the temple of the sun at Palenque is jaguar was known to ancient Mesoameri- The jaguar is the largest feline, and a the mask or face of the jaguar (Coe 1994). cans as a creature/god singularly powerful top keystone predator of the Western The Black “Night Time Sun” or divine enough to open or crack the Hemisphere. While some notable efforts Jaguar world (turtle shell), in order to release have been made to Approximately 6% of jaguars manifest important objects or forces. The young preserve optimal as melanistic. Maize god (and maize itself) emerge from jaguar habitats, this Melanistic or “black” the split open surface of the earth, which long lived feline, as jaguars have a black is depicted in Classic Mayan iconography a variable species, or dark colored coat, as a cracked turtle carapace (Coe is presently in dan- with some spot out- 1993).This illustrates the ancient cultur- ger because of the lines that may appear al/cosmologic importance and paranormal diminishment of when seen in bright strength of the jaguar in possessing the genetic diversity. sunlight. Black ability to release or control a very impor- Unfortunately, jaguars were highly tant cultural creation - domestic maize extinction of jaguar Statue of a ritualized in ancient (corn). Varieties of maize represented the subspecies, in mesoamerican Mesoamerica as liv- most valuable ancient subsistence food jaguar priest. numerous regional ing shadows, the nighttime sun (Coe crop of Mesoamerica, the American areas which have not 1993), and as symbolic of the night. The Southwest, and the Mississippian South- been adequately pro- occasional appearance of white albino east. tected or preserved, is probable. The individuals (very maladapted to survive in Jaguars and the Color Orange in jaguar has been a highly ritualized feline, a dense tropical jungle) must have com- Ritual symbolized as the day and night sun, and pounded the ancient ritual significance of Orange is a symbolic signal color indi- was considered to be a principal rain/fer- these magnificent felines. Because of cating stimulation, excitement and poten- tility deity throughout the New World. appearance, rarity, and the complexity of tial danger or warning. Orange may be Several ancient civilizations, including the ancient Mesoamerican cosmology, both associated with the comings and goings of gulf coast Olmec, based much of their black and white jaguars may have been the primary giver of life - the rising or set- cosmology and art on real or mythic especially attractive as ritualized domesti- ting sun. The orange/yellow basecoat aspects of the jaguar, manifesting in a cult cates, captives, or sacrifices. The above color of the jaguar may have been includ- of the were-jaguar. The Maize god and ground “tomb” found at the Olmec site of ed in a ritualization complex associated maize itself may have been mythically La Venta, Mexico, which was constructed with the color orange, which existed released into the upper world as a result of of large basalt pillars, might have alter- throughout prehistoric Mesoamerica for at the jaguar’s powerful bite. Throughout nately served as a pen for captive black or least 3,000 years. The most common ancient Mesoamerica the jaguar’s face, as white jaguars. The Mayan sun god jaguar color pattern consists of black an abstract icon, may have personified or (Kinich Ahau), on his nightly journey rosettes on a orange/yellow basecoat. The represented the beneath the earth, becomes the fearsome normal orange coloration was symbolical- day and night sun black jaguar of the underworld. In the ly associated with the “daytime sun” for more than Classic Period Maya site of Palenque, jaguar. The “orange” daytime sun regular- 3000 years. The Mexico the black jaguar is portrayed as ly traveled visibly overhead until plunging Mayan and the principle god of the underworld, and under the earth. Once under the earth the Nahuatl (Aztec) specifically as the night sun on its night- sun was symbolized as the black jaguar, terms for jaguar ly passage beneath the earth. For the until the next morning, when the sun were often incor- South American Aztecs of late Postclassic Mexico, the emerged again at dawn as the daytime porated in the jaguar canine pec- black jaguar was the zoomorphic totem of “orange/jaguar sun.” Other examples or titles of notable toral worn on the the important god – Tezcatlipoca (literally members of the Mesoamerican orange rit- priests, rulers and chest to impart the – smoking mirror in Nahuatl). The ual complex include orange Spondylus protection of the warriors. “black” Tezcatlipoca was the fierce giver shells and ornaments, Thin Orange ceram- jaguar.

46 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 USING FELINE BEHAVIOR TO TEST A NEW METHOD TO RECONSTRUCT PHYLOGENY (OR HOW TO BE PAID FOR SPENDING ENDLESS TIME OBSERVING WILD FELIDS)

Carlos C. Albers, PhD Assistant Professor Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Faculdade de Ciências e Letras de Assis Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp Assis, SP – Brazil Since very early childhood I have been opinions shared by ancient scientists. But face, felids display no less then forty five absolutely fascinated by felids, from the this stance is turning, and the use of different grooming behavioral units, domestic cat to the lion, from the tiger to behavior as character source for phyloge- including parts of the anatomy like the the black footed cat. When my father ny is becoming more and more accepted. face itself, the tongue, and the forearm asked what I would choose for a job, I In that particular research, I observed (for the feline grooms its face with the always wondered how I could get paid for adult domestic cats (Felis catus) that lived front paw after it have been licked by the just being around cats, the wild and the in colonies of at least four individuals. I tongue). These are some examples of domestic ones. Well, I figured it out. As a used data collected mainly in two these behavioral units: professor and researcher in a well-ranked colonies. The cats didn’t belong to any PLB - Protraction of the tongue, Brazilian University, one of my most particular race, I just avoided the black down. important “duties” is to watch feline cats, or very dark ones, because of diffi- The animal opens the mouth, protracts behavior. culties to visualize behavior. There was the tongue up to about 1/3 of its maximum I already enjoyed different kinds of not gender distinction when choosing the extension and, then, curves it down. scientific work with these wonderful ani- individuals. ZAB - Forearm. mals. I have searched for their foot prints The other feline species included in After PLB, with the paw lifted up, and other vestiges while I tried to see them that work were the Bengal cat (Felis ben- with the palm turned to the internal side, in the wild. I have observed them in zoos galensis), the Caracal lynx (Linx caracal), the cat moves the head in direction to the throughout my country and in other ones, the Serval (F. serval), the Asian Golden chest, touches the tongue in the base of the videotaping them so I could watch it later, Cat (F. temmincki) the Geoffroy’s cat (F. forearm, moves the head frontward and again and again, to better understand what geoffroyi) and the Oncilla (F. tigrina). The the paw backwards, licking the forearm I was seeing. In my small town, I chased nomenclature of felids followed in that along and, then, retracts the tongue domestic ones in the nighttime, to figure work is the one indicated by Gittleman’s ZPH - Paw to eyes out what they do when outside our homes. Carnivore Bahaviour, Ecology and Evolu- Departing from ZAB, without touch- I analyzed color, shape, and size of their tion, from 1989. The data was collected in ing the face with the paw, with movements hairs to build a key to tell the difference videotapes, done mainly in four institu- of the head and the arm, the paw goes by between the Brazilian species when only tions: Fundação Parque Zoológico de São the superior lip, by the vibrissae, and by small pieces of fur or individual hairs are Paulo, Brazil; Zoologischer Garten Berlin the eye until landing in the forehead area. available. I even looked for DNA in those and Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde, both ZHV - Eye to vibrissae hairs. placed in Berlin; and Zoologischer Garten Departing from ZPH, the paw touches In one of those works observing felids der Stadt Wuppertal, in Wuppertal, Nor- the face and goes down, with movements in zoos, I came to the idea to use behavior drein-Westfallen, Germany. I have also of the arm and of the head until the fore- as character to reconstruct phylogeny. done some Studying phylogeny is to try to understand filming in the how species are related to each other. As zoos of Soroca- ANIMAL FINDERS GUIDE an example among rodents, it could be ba, Brazil, and 18 issues a year for only $30.00 said that the mouse is more closely related in Copenhagen, Single issue $2.50 to the rat, than to the shrew. To reach such Denmark. a conclusion, one might compare bones, I choose to Informative articles on exotic mostly the ones in the skull, or the DNA use facial animal husbandry. Exotic animals, of the in-group, the group of species one is grooming as the products, services, auctions and shows advertised. interested in, to reconstruct its genealogic source of tree, its phylogeny. Character based in behavior suited PO Box 99, Prairie Creek, IN 47869 skull bones or DNA is the most common to phylogenetic 812-898-2678 or Fax 812-898-2013 ones. But proteins, ecology, soft parts analysis. Con- visit our website at www.animalfindersguide.com morphology, and other characters can be sidering both email: [email protected] used as well. Behavior is not so common a sides of the source of character because of out of date 47 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 arm reaches the superior position of inser- It is called a cladogram, a graphic out- the Felidae. Like others, I believe that the tion of the vibrissae. line used to show a reconstructed phy- cat is not the only species of that Family PLB, ZAB, ZPV and ZHV are part of logeny. What the cladogram tells is that, that is apt for domestication. I think that the mnemonic codes I used in that work. I among the observed species, the Caracal many other feline species would be had 29 codes, as I did not discriminate is closer related to Geoffroy’s cat than to domesticated if the same circumstances between left and right sides of the face. any other species in that work. They are that lead to the domestication of the cat All observed felid species display these sister species. The same can be said of the had arisen for them too. behaviors. And as all species showed the domestic cat and the Bengal Cat. In this I would appreciate if members of FCF same grooming movements, it was not phylogenetic tree, the Asian Golden Cat is would assist in this study by participating possible to use them to compare species. closer to the clade that bonds Bengal and in a questionnaire survey. In this survey I To do so, I studied in what sequence each Domestic Cats. And the Serval is closer to am asking about some particular behav- species used the different behaviors to the former group. Oncilla is isolated from iors of felids maintained by members that clean its face. It is important to say that it any other species or group of species, may or may not be displayed towards is not usual at all to use sequences in meaning that it is linked further from the owner or handler. Some other information behavioral studies. Most scientists use the others. is also asked for. I will then be able to frequency that the animal displays each Comparing these results to Felid phy- compare the results with those of other behavioral unit. This means that most sci- logenies proposed by other authors, it similar surveys, done in a bit different entists count how many times each behav- could be seen that part of this cladogram research design where the closer ior is performed by the animal subject in a is not so diverse, whereas another part is human/feline bond shared by FCF mem- given amount of time. But to use so. The worst part is that Geoffroy and bers and their wild cats wasn’t taken into sequences is preferable because they are Tigrina are not together. Since they are account. The questionnaire has been much less altered by the environment than South and Central American species, it is uploaded onto the Internet and can be are frequencies. And different species hard to believe that they do not share the accessed at this web site: showed different sequences in the facial same evolutional step that led to creation http://www.assis.unesp.br/ffrei/felids.htm grooming while sticking to the same pat- of the South and Central American spot- tern among the different individuals of the ted cats group. One possible explanation same species. So, using sequences is kind for that result is that the Oncilla individu- of a little breakthrough of my work. To als I used in that work extract sequences from the raw data using were from very differ- the behaviors observed in the videotapes ent origins and I think There Is No Substitute - Oasis is the taken in zoos is not so straightforward, that at least some of and thus, my collaborators and I built a them were hybrids #1 Selling Vitamin Supplement software based in a mathematic algorithm between Oncillas and created by one of us, the MrDiTree algo- other felid species. If I in the World! rithm. were right in this, of Do Not Settle for Imitators So, as the characters used to recon- course all grooming Oasis Vitamins with Taurine is specie formulated struct the phylogeny of the species studied behavior sequences to complete appropriate raw meat diets! are the sequences of grooming behavioral wouldn’t be that of units, I had a way to compare them. And pure Ocillas. Kittens require bioavailable and pure calcium. each species had more sequences in com- Well, this only a Don’t risk broken bones and poor bone density. mon to another one, than to the others. I brief summary of that Prima-Cal is formulated to work with Oasis for summed up all the sequences each one work of mine. The optimal response & growth. species shared whole story can be with every other read at Japyassú HF, Our friendly technical support staff is the best in one, and so, Alberts CC, Izar P, the industry! We are always available for you! using a dedicat- and Sato T (2006) ed computer EthoSeq: a tool for program, I could phylogenetic analysis Specialized Natural Health Products Formulated by tell the distance and data mining in DR. GARY PUSILLO of relatedness, behavioral sequences. the phylogeny, Behavioral Research of the studied Methods 38:549-556. 1-866-807-7335 species. The I am now interest- www.apperon.com result is the fig- ed in the evolution of ure to the left: social behavior among 48 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 54, Issue 2—March/April 2010 Donations

The FCF board of directors wishes to offer a special thanks to the following individuals who have made donations to various projects since the last published Journal. Your generous donations enable the FCF to provide additional funding for special projects, develop and deliver educational materials to our members and legislators, and help FCF support feline conservation, and improve captive feline welfare. We appreciate each donation, no matter the amount, recognizing that it is the many small gifts that when combined, add up and make a difference in the effectiveness of the FCF. We encourage everyone to follow their example by donating funds for those projects that are of special interest to you.

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49 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 5, Issue 2—March/April 2010

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13 51 17 Leo, a two-year old African lion, is one of the first residents of Pilot Peak Wildlife Park, a 501-c-3 non-profit facility in northeastern Nevada scheduled to open to the public during 2010. Leo and his friend, Tiger, a tigress, came to the park after retiring from photo cub work. Deeanna Croasmun, co-founder of the facility and also editor of The Wendover Times, says, “Leo has adjusted well to the winter cold and snow by growing a thick winter coat and eating more heartily, and those extra calories help him stay warm. The two cats are very bonded and snuggle together in deep grass hay in their shelter; often Leo is completely covered by his tiger blan- ket." Deeanna took this photo using an 8.1 megapixel Sony Cyber- shot DSC-T70. She keeps the small and lightweight camera in her pocket while doing her daily animal chores so she doesn’t miss out Feline Conservation Federation on any good photo opportunities. She loves all her animals, but Mar/Apr 2010 Volume 54, Issue 2 can’t help but feel there is something a little extra special about Leo, as he is so sweet and loving, and so adorable when he requests tummy rubs.