Feline Conservation Federation March/April 2011 • Volume 55, Issue 2 T ABLE OFcontents Features MARCH/APRIL 2011 | VOLUME 55, ISSUE 2 From the Journal Editor 14 Eden Tran on exotics, the media, and the FCF 19 A Margay’s Story Raised in captivity, and successfully rewilded Convention is on its Way 20 The latest on speakers and happen- ings. 26 Ten Leopards in Ten Days 22 Bhagavan Antle sees Sabi Sands’ leg- endary leopards. Rare Species Fund African Safari 24 World-class adventure awaits you. Iowa Dairy Farm Evolves into Cricket 30 Hollow Zoo From cows to cougars, Pam Sellner shares her life story. In Search of Mohini’s Legacy 35 Mary Ann Howell tracks the white tiger’s offspring. Cover Photo: Please see the back cover for informa- tion about our cover models, Madonna and her cubs. 35 22 30 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 55, Issue 2 • March/April 2011 TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FCF JOURNAL AND JOIN FCF IN ITS 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 pro- grams and public education. Pictorials Contact Us 40 Your Best Shots Carol Bovard, Jackie Adebahr, FOUNDER: Treasurer: DEPARTMENTS: Laura Walker, Fercos Brothers, Catherine Cisin Marilin Antle Accreditation Chairman: Julie Reid, Sandi Spears, Kurt P.O. Box 31210 Doc Antle Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 P.O. Box 31210 Beckelman, Yvonne Veety, Deb- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: 843-283-2826 Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 orah Warrick, and Laura Bean Lynn Culver treasurer@ 843-271-2299 141 Polk 664 felineconservation.org [email protected] Mena, AR 71953 Conservation 479-394-5235 Conservation Advisor: executivedirector@ DIRECTORS: Jim Sanderson, Ph.D. 20 Last Chance to Save China’s felineconservation.org Conservation: 356 Freeman Street Tigers Pat Callahan Hartford, CT 06106 OFFICERS: 3400 Vine Street 505-720-1204 Li Quan’s mission to reintro- President: Cincinnati, OH 45220 [email protected] duce extirpated tigers. Kevin Chambers 513-304-7155 7816 N CR 75 W conservation@ Membership Services: Shelburn, IN 47879 felineconservation.org Caroline Alexander Husbandry 812-397-2302 10825 New Avenue president@ Legislation: Gilroy, CA 95020 8 Canine Distemper in Big Cats felineconservation.org Robert Johnson 510-304-0031 Terri Werner learns that big cats PO Box 31210 [email protected] can contract this virus. Vice President: Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 Patty Perry 786-390-8553 9 Safari’s Trip to the Vet P.O. Box 2359 legislation@ JOURNAL STAFF: Kathy Thomas uses diversion to Moorpark, CA 93020 felineconservation.org Managing Editor: aid in veterinary visits. 805-517-1005 Lynn Culver vicepresident@ Teresa Shaffer 16 Young Lynx Prove to be Fighters felineconservation.org 12811 Outerbelt Road Layout/Copy Editor: Anastasia Antonevich and Lone Jack, MO 64070 Eden Tran Sergey Naidenko study cub Secretary: 816-739-3999 sonandedentran@ aggression. George DeLong [email protected] yahoo.com 197 East View Road 18 Blast from the Past - Highlands, NC 28741 Associate Editors: Hyperesthesia 828-526-4553 Judith Hoffman Over-sensitivity to touch and secretary@ Deeanna Croasmun light pressure by Lynn Culver. felineconservation.org Yvonne Veety 37 Evaluating Interaction with Edi- Advertising: ble and Inedible Enrichment by Kurt Beckelman an African Serval Becky Kunkel finds food makes Organization The Feline Conservation Federation publishes the Journal bimonth- the favorite treats. ly. The FCF is non-profit, (Federal ID#59-2048618) non-commercial, 4 and international in membership, devoted to the welfare and conserva- 42 Prevent an Outbreak - Letter from the President tion of exotic felines. Vaccinate! The Journal publishes articles on exotic feline conservation and Lea Juanakais reminds us an New Accreditation Board 4 husbandry, management, and regulatory and legislative issues affecting ounce of prevention is worth a Appointment pound of care. ownership for our members. The author’s point of view does not neces- 6 From the Executive sarily represent the point of view of the organization. Reproduction of Director any material in the Journal may not be made without the written per- mission of the original copyright owners and/or copyright owner FCF. Legislation 11 Enthusiastic People Want- ed for FCF Committees Letters to the editor and guest editorials are also published. 32 Connecticut’s Strict Animal 17 Display advertisement space is available at the following prices: Laws are Changing! Letter to the Journal $10 business card, $25.00 quarter page, $50.00 half page, and $100 Debi Willoughby reports on this full-page ad. state’s regulatory process. 17 New F.U.R. Team Submission deadline for articles and 34 Donors advertisements is the 10th of even num- Education bered months. Please submit all photos 39 Registered Handlers and articles to the Journal Managing 12 Wildlife Conservation Educators Editor. High Resolution photos and Course Review 44 BOD Meeting Report articles may be emailed to Alexandra J. Brielmayer consid- [email protected], or send by ers the experience invaluable. 46 FCF Launches Classified postal service to 141 Polk 664, Mena, Ads AR 71953. Copyright © 2011 Feline Conservation Federation. All rights reserved. Some material is reprinted with permission of other copyright holders. 3 Feline Conservation Federation Volume 55, Issue 2 • March/April 2011 Letter from the President The FCF board and executive director mond; Conservation - Pat Callahan; Leg- law enforcement agencies, providing them just returned from two days of meetings in islation - Rob Johnson; Member Services - with contact information, much like haz- Miami, on February 26th and 27th. Satur- Caroline Alexander; Youth Education - ardous material spills have emergency day, we joined 19 other students to take Debi Willoughby; Development - Erin response teams. the “Wildlife Conservation Educators Patters; Journal Managing Editor - Lynn The Youth Education Committee that Course” at Jungle Island, instructed by Culver; and Feline Urgent Response was formed last fall has been hard at Ron DeArmond. I highly recommend this (FUR) Team - Teresa Shaffer. If you work. Under the guidance of Debi class to everyone, whether you intend to would like to serve on any of these com- Willoughby, they have produced species become a professional educator or not. At mittees, please contact the committee fact sheets for a soon-to-come Youth sec- one time or another, it seems every wild- chair or a member of the board for more tion of the FCF website. These will pro- cat owner is asked to do a presentation to information. vide good general facts on each species to a group or is asked for an interview by the We are still looking for motivated peo- serve as references for student school media. This course gives invaluable ple to head the Marketing and Public reports. The Youth section will also have insight into preparing for, presenting, and Relations committees. These are very games and other materials to help the following-up on a presentation. By learn- important committees. The Public Rela- younger generation know and understand ing the techniques of properly presenting tions committee duties include writing wildcats. A bi-monthly email newsletter our information, and ourselves, we can do press releases, handling interview requests for youth is in the works, too. a much better job of educating the public. from the media, and increasing the public The 40th Annual FCF Convention, in By speaking to the general public, we can awareness of the FCF. The Marketing Orlando, continues to build momentum raise awareness for the plight of wild committee helps find businesses to pro- and is shaping up to be one of the best felines, both in the wild and in captivity. vide materials and services that are useful ever. We should have plenty of interna- This helps in our battle against bad legis- to our members and their cats, and it also tional flavors, with guests expected to lation. The public is inundated with less markets the FCF to the general public. arrive from Asia, Europe, Africa, and than truthful information from animal The new Feline Urgent Response Central America. With Orlando being rights groups and certain sanctuary associ- (FUR) Team, headed by Teresa Shaffer, is such a great family destination, the Con- ations. We need to take the offensive and intended to be a resource for owners and vention committee has made plans to keep seize opportunities to get our message out. law enforcement agencies to assist and our younger members engaged and enter- Educating people in small groups, or even provide advice in the event of the escape tained. Our Friday field trip is child- individually, will add up and does of a wildcat. We will strive to have at friendly, and children’s activities are immense good. least one person in every state as a contact scheduled for Saturday, during the speak- On Sunday, the board spent over nine person to act as a coordinator. They will ers’ time slots. So, make the trip to Orlan- hours discussing FCF business and devis- help the capture be a well-coordinated do a family affair, because it will be filled ing a plan of action for the upcoming effort that is safe for both the cat and the with learning and fun. I’m looking for- term. Several exciting ideas were present- public. FUR team members will contact ward to seeing everyone there! ed that should prove to be very beneficial to our mem- Bill Meadows is Appointed to the Feline Facility Accredi- bers and help cement the tation Board FCF as the leading wildlife- related organization.