Big Cats Space

This is a follow up post from a comment about the space a big cat needs.

Wild cats territory is measured in miles. All to often we see big cats in zoos with little space. No matter how big a zoo, there is no way to compare to the miles a big cat has in the wild. The USDA states that the animals needs to be able to turn around, stand up, and cage kept clean. I don't know about any of you, but this is horrible that these beautiful wild creatures can legally be kept in the manor. One article I found about caging states that in a place in Florida, a 600lb tiger was kept in a 12ft by 15ft cage! This treatment makes me sick and want to do everything I can to change the laws.
http://bigcatrescue.org/cages/

Cause An Uproar

National Geographic Cause an Uproar
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/big-cats/about/

A Year Sentence?

I just found a news article published in March by the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Two people were caught illegally bringing in and selling jaguar skins from Mexico. The two got sentenced to one year and one day in prison and were found to be guilty of violating the ESA.  

While it is good that these people got caught, a year in prison seems like a jock to me. People are killing and skinning endangered species and not receiving just punishment. Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states, a felony, and has a much great prison sentence.  This seems wrong. Abuse of dogs is greater crime than killing a species that could become extinct? We need to stand up for the right of these animals and demand that people who violate these laws get harsher punishments!

Full news article at:

http://www.ifaw.org/united-states/news/big-cats-face-big-threats-here%E2%80%99s-how-us-can-help

 

What's in Your Back Yard?

Look out into your backyard. What animals do you see: birds, squirrels, frog, cats? What about Big Cats? Leopards and hyenas are being spotted in the backyard of people in India. The human population continues to grow and expand taking the land with it. Wild animals are being forced to come close to humans in hunt for food to survive. Some studies say that these animals are capable of coexisting with human. Is this really the way wild animals should have to live, in our world? A study called “Big Cats in Our Backyard” research these animals coming close to humans. One research stated, "Human attacks by leopards were rare despite a potentially volatile situation considering that the leopard has been involved in serious conflict, including human deaths in adjoining areas," said Ullas Karanth of WCS expert on big cats. "The results of our work push the frontiers of our understanding of the adaptability of both humans and wildlife to each others presence."

            While it seems great that both animal and human can adapt to changing environments, it seems wrong to take this land away from creatures that were already there and are no match against humans. This new environment could lead to an even greater decline in the population of these cats. Humans are taking away the animal’s source of food and survival. For years people have been doing this same thing to other people causing many conflicts. It is time we start standing up for those animals that need our help to protect their environment and population.

Article in full can be found at : http://esciencenews.com/articles/2013/03/30/look.out.squirrels.leopards.are.new.backyard.wildlife

WCS (World Conservation Society): http://www.wcs.org/

Big Cat Rescue Finalist for Best Place to Work 2013

The Big Cat Rescue has become a finalist in the 2013 Best Place to Work. There will be honors soon to come.

Big Cat Rescue is a sanctuary for abused and abandoned large cats. This is the largest sanctuary in the world. There are over 100 lions, cougars, tigers, and many others. Their goal is to provide the best possible care to these animals both in the wild and in captivity. They also focus on educating the public about stopping abuse of these animals. Their website has great information about big cats and ways to get involved in the cause as well as donate. There are also most news article relating to big cats.

http://bigcatrescue.org/

Protect Lions Left in the World

I found a recent article about one way to protect the African lion. The International Fund for Animal Welfare and wildlife groups made a petition to add the African lion to the list of animals protect by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. This is the only species of big cat not protected under this act. Currently, lion trophy importation is a major factors adding to the decline of the African lion population. The U.S. accounts for one half of the lion trophies each year. It is estimated that only 32,000 African lions are left in the wild today. This is a 50% decrease from 30 years ago.

To help these lions go to www.helpafricanlions.org. See the full article at http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/01/30/roar-of-support-to-protect-remaining-african-lions/