Wild Cat Database

Jack and Anna Mary Childs set out to learn more about the Southwestern Jaguar.  To do so, they set up a series of “camera traps” or motion sensitive cameras along the US and Mexico border.  They were successful in not only photographing the first wild Jaguar seen in the US but also several other species of mammals, ranging from other wild cat species, like the Puma to coyotes and bears.  Ambushed on the Jaguar Trail is the compilation of more than seventy captivating photos of wildlife captured on film along the US and Mexico border.  Ambushed on the Jaguar Trail: Hidden Cameras on the Mexican  can be found on Amazon.

Two bobcats, born in captivity, were donated to the MacKenzie Environmental Education Center in Poynette, Wisconsin.  Located on 280 wooded acres, the MacKenzie Center is much more than a traditional education facility.  It is perfect for outdoor activities ranging from hiking expeditions to school explorations.   The presence of the two bobcats at the Center provides visitors with the unique opportunity to view the secretive bobcats.  Visit the MacKenzie Environmental Education Center’s site for more info.

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Although, it helps domesticated cats in shelters and not their Wild Cat relatives, FreeKibbleKat is just too good to not write about it.  FreeKibbleKat was created by 12 year old Mimi Ausland from Bend, Oregon.  The premise of the site is simple and sweet, answer the daily trivia question and regardless, whether the question is answered correctly or not, 20 pieces of kibble are donated to cats in shelters.  As of June 2008, over two million pieces of kibble have been donated.  Where does the kibble come from?  All of the kibble is donated from ZooToo, a pet community social media network

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All species of wild cats are unique, intelligent, instrumental to the environment and they deserve to be protected.  I find it incredibly odd that we live in a country that feels a dwindling population of one of the species of wild cats should be hunted in order to keep the numbers in line with other wild life.  In Utah alone, it is anticipated that approximately 300 cougars will be hunted and killed.   Last year, an average of 311 were killed before it was discovered that the quota had been met.  Although, eleven is a small number, it is obvious to see that the hunting of cougars is not well monitored.  And for that matter,  311 were acknowledged, there might have been several more not recorded.

I have read that that the Cougar population is estimated at approximately 5,100 in Oregon.  I have read several articles supporting the hunting of Cougars and the threat of the high numbers of this wild cat.  I also came across a rather disturbing picture of two young girls (who were “hunted” by a cougar that was later killed).  The girls can be seen smiling in front of a cougar with what appears to be a bullet hole and bloody area on its side.  It reminded me of a black and white photo I came across of a young girl, smiling, in front of jaguar that had been killed in the southern part of the United States in the early twentieth century.

Neosho, Missouri is located on the western edge of the Missouri Ozarks. The Ozarks conjure images of mountain lions, banjos and sprawling, unpopulated mountainous landscapes. However, as far the mountain lions go, the Missouri population of mountain lions was killed off in the early 20th century (although, there are the occasional sightings of mountain lions through out the state).

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Fur Ball 2008

People seem to have very strong opinions about Big Cat Rescue. Regardless of what those thoughts might be, Big Cat Rescue is a lean, mean, money making machine and that is said with the utmost respect. The organization’s innovative fund raising ideas are both successful and fresh, always appearing one step ahead of the curve. A lot of non profit organizations could learn from Big Cat Rescue’s marketing, public relations and overall, money generating approach.

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Not only was Saturday a special day for the Kristiansand Dyrepark Zoo in Norway because last year’s imported lions and lionesses successful mated but also because the coupling proved to be incredibly fruitful. Sera, a lioness at Norway’s living zoo, gave birth to four healthy lion cubs this past weekend, doubling the zoo’s Lion Count in one swoop from four to eight! Congratulations to The Kristiansand Dyrepark Zoo for its newest arrivals.