NEWSLINK: Wounded rare leopard wins battle to return to the wild

The unnamed male Amur leopard, known only as Leo 80M, has confounded animal experts and proven he can hunt, so will be readied for a return to the wild.


He is one of only 80 or so of the endangered big cats in the wild. He lost three front claws after becoming entangled in a trap set by hunters in the Land of the Leopard Reserve close to the Chinese border.

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NEWSLINK: UK Big black cat spotted

The beastly creature - described as “the size of a puma” - was spotted in Iveshead Road, in the field on the right of the Charley Road junction.


Pauline Shields, aged 76, of Freehold Street, was driving towards Coalville when her eyes cast over the creature in a field she says is usually occupied by cattle.

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VIDEO: Just say.. roar? White tiger dental treatment

A 7-year-old white tiger from the nonprofit Tiger Preservation Center of Cave Junction, Oregon, traveled to Lodi’s Arbor Pet Clinic on Sept. 29 for dental work. The female tiger named Vail had two growths removed during the hourlong procedure.

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NEWSLINK: Mountain Lion perched up pole near Cougar Buttes

A mountain lion climbed up a 35-foot-high wooden power pole Tuesday afternoon about two miles south of Cougar Buttes in Lucerne Valley on East End Road.


Two California Department of Fish and Game officers, who were parked several hundred yards away, were requesting passers by to not stop. They hoped the animal, which appeared to be a healthy adult, might climb back down from the high voltage wires and go back into the wild.

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NEWSLINK: Keeper death 'should send message to zoos'

The death of a keeper mauled by a tiger in Hamilton Zoo should send a message to zoos around the world to "reconsider their continued confinement of big cats", animal activist group Peta says.

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ARTICLE: Panther attacks are old news, reports show

Earlier this month, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission considered a policy proposal that critics said would have undercut efforts to expand the population of Florida panthers.

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ARTICLE: Lava Hot Springs residents remember escaped big cats 20 years later

On April 1, 1995, the residents of Lava Hot Springs were told to keep their kids and pets inside because a lion had escaped from a nearby compound, known as Ligertown, according to Cathy Sher, the director of the South Bannock County Historical Center. Fortunately, this was just an April Fools joke.

A few months later, the town was completely shut down as law enforcement spent days killing and capturing lions, tigers and hybrid ligers that escaped from Ligertown, located just 2 miles outside of town. This time it wasn’t a joke.

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ARTICLE: Leopard numbers rise but this cat is in danger

There's good news and bad news in the country's first-ever leopard census. The numbers are the good news: The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) estimates that there are 12,000 to 14,000 in the wild - a very healthy number for the endangered spotted big cats. The bad news is that almost half live outside protected areas and are vulnerable to conflict with people.

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ARTICLE: Tiger trainer keeps big cats in line

When “Misty,” a tiger that easily outweighs her trainer, refused to go back to her seat after successfully completing a trick, trainer Brunon Blaszak offered her one kiss, and a second, before the audience at the Kansas State Fair reminded him of the key to getting Misty’s compliance.


She’d done her trick, and it was time for Blaszak to do his: giving her a piece of raw meat. Misty didn’t budge until she got her treat.

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NEWSLINK: Firefighters battle to protect treasured California Sequoias

Firefighters in Central California on Thursday say the state's largest wildfire threatens to sweep through an ancient grove of Giant Sequoia trees considered to be a national treasure.

Firefighters are clearing lines with bulldozers around the Grant Grove and putting up sprinklers, said Andy Isolano, a spokesman for the Clovis Fire Department.

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NEWSLINK: 'Lifeguard' tiger cub rescues his brother by giving him a piggy back

This is the moment a tiger hitched a lift on his brother's back and was brought to safety after almost drowning in a lake.

The pair of big cats had been splashing around on the water's edge at John Varty's Tiger Conservation Project in Pillippolis in South Africa.

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ARTICLE: Florida's panther problems get a writeup in the New Yorker

We've written recently about the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission's attempt to quietly cut back on its efforts to expand the state's panther population.

The argument for doing so, put forth in a draft memo posted to the agency's website with little fanfare or attention, was that the 180 or so breeding panthers that live in Southwest Florida are "straining and currently exceed the tolerance of landowners, residents and recreationists in the region."

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NEWSLINK: Rough fire’s spread forces Cat Haven to begin moving animals

As the Rough fire continues to grow, new evacuation plans reach into the Sierra foothills including a call for the Endangered Cat Haven near Dunlap to begin moving its animals.

The nearly 6-week-old fire reached 103,244 acres by 9 a.m. Wednesday, making it the 10th largest in the country. The Sierra blaze has grown nearly 25,000 acres in the last week. It remains 31 percent contained.

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NEWSLINK: Safari has a plan but no money to implement it

The Central Zoo Authority of India (CZA) has approved the master plan for the upgrade of Ludhiana Tiger Safari. A master plan to upgrade the Safari was sent to the authority and it took six years for CZA to approve the proposal.

Although this paves the way for the acquisition of new animals and facilities, it comes at a time when the Punjab government has allocated zero budget for wildlife.

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NEWSLINK: Daring Rescues Give Circus Lions Freedom

Thirty-three lions who lived under awful conditions in South American traveling circuses have only one more trip to make, and it will easily be the best one of their lives. 

Next month, they will be airlifted to a sanctuary in Africa by the group that not only rescued them but got laws passed to outlaw the use of other big cats in such circuses, reports GlobalPost.

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NEWSLINK: Mountain lions spotted in Pacific Grove, Monterey

Two deer were found dead recently after reported mountain lion attacks, but it’s no reason to sound the alarm — unless you’re a deer.


Elizabeth Conti-Yeo, animal control officer for Pacific Grove, said there has been a mountain lion sighting and two deer reportedly killed by mountain lions near Pacific Grove Golf Links and the ballpark on 17-Mile Drive.

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NEWSLINK: Cheetahs photographed closer than you've ever seen before

Not many of us will ever get close to a cheetah - but thanks to these stunning images, we don't have to.

The incredible shots show the handsome big cats as close as it's possible to get, and they're quite special.

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ARTICLE: Man-Eating Cats; Climate change vs conspiracy theory in India

Climate change rejection or denial produces particularly imaginative conspiracy theories. As David Runciman has shown, different sides of the debate – those who deny the existence or seriousness of climate change and those who point out the conspiracies behind climate change denialism – share a conspiracist logic.

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ARTICLE: Rethinking wildlife's place in our interconnected world

Yet another majestic mountain lion has lost his life, in a hit and run, on a highly trafficked Southern California highway. This is the 14th mountain lion to die on LA area roads since a 2002 tracking study began.


Mountain lions in California have been classified as “specially protected mammals” as a result of Proposition 117, which prohibited trophy hunting in 1990.

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ARTICLE: Why India's first-ever leopard census reveals little about the big cats' welfare

The first-ever national leopard census has found that there are somewhere between 12,000 and 14,000 leopards in the country. Though this looks like a large number of the smallest of India's big cats, there isn’t too much too cheer about yet.

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NEWSLINK: Big Cat Habitat in Sarasota opens new enclosure

Dozens of exotic cats living in Sarasota now have a better way to cool off from this summer’s heat.


Big Cat Habitat and Sanctuary just finished building a new enclosure for its big cats.


The extra space gives the lions, tigers and ligers more room to roam and play.


The new enclosures also include pools for the cats to use and splash around in.

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NEWSLINK: First ever leopard count estimates 12,000 to 14,000 spotted big cats in India

For the first time India finally has got a count of its spotted big cat - the leopard.

As per a Times of India report, the first ever leopard census in India, carried out alongside the tiger census last year, has put the population of the species at 7,910 in and around tiger habitats.

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NEWSLINK: Traders sold ornaments made of big cats’ claws, fangs or skin

Several businessmen have been fooled into buying ornaments made of tiger parts that were touted to contain magical powers to make their owners invincible.


The victims parted with hundreds of thousands of ringgit to own the gold-plated lockets and other ornaments made of tiger claws, fangs or skin, Metro Ahad reported.

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NEWSLINK: Another cub of Cecil the lion feared dead

A second cub from Cecil the lion's pride is feared dead after park rangers found it missing from its siblings in Hwange National Park, Zimbawbe.


The infant lions had been adopted by their uncle Jericho after their father, Cecil, was brutally slain by American dentist Walter Palmer in July 2015.

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NEWSLINK: No human has been attacked by a Florida panther in state history, wildlife official says

A state wildlife official opposed plans to alter protections for the Florida panther, saying there was no pressing reason to fear the big cats.


On Sept. 2, 2015, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission considered a policy proposal that critics said would have undercut efforts to expand the population.

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NEWSLINK: Despite TWRA Position, Alleged Mountain Lion Sightings Roar On

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's position on mountain lions remains consistent: there isn't a population in Greene County.


Still, area residents continue to report seeing the big cat.

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NEWSLINK: Northwest-based group works to keep animal sanctuaries honest

Every day, there are countless abandoned, abused and neglected animals, and though more animal sanctuaries have been popping up to care for these creatures, a greater setback exists.


Some animal havens operate under the facade of a nonprofit sanctuary, and instead of rescuing animals, they prey on people's sympathy while exploiting those in their care, according to Vernon Weir, director of the American Sanctuary Association.

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ARTICLE: Tracking collars collect data on mountain lions

Collaring cougars is one thing. Keeping collars on the cats is another.

Two mountain lions in western Nebraska somehow tore off thick leather tracking collars strapped around their necks in the first months of a research project earlier this year.

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NEWSLINK: Rare lion’s death at Nemacolin raises oversight questions

The unexpected death last week of Prince, a rare white lion born into captivity at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Fayette County, shocked and saddened the many fans who were smitten by the big cat’s unique look and noble bearing. 

They took to Facebook en masse, a pride of lion lovers who lamented the loss in more than 200 posts.

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NEWSLINK: Abused circus lions to be flown back to Africa on Boeing 747

An extraordinary “Lion-Air” rescue mission by a team from the UK is to fly 33 abused circus big cats - back to Africa.


The airlift – which will fly the 33 lions on a specially chartered Boeing 747 - is the biggest in history

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NEWSLINK: World’s most endangered big cat may be on the rebound

An extremely rare spotted cat could be stepping back from the brink of extinction.


The Amur leopard appears to have doubled its wild population in the past several years from fewer than 40 adults in 2007 to 80 or more in 2014 and repopulated some of its historic range in China, according to a joint announcement by Russian and Chinese scientists.

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NEWSLINK: Ohio sends seized tigers, big cats out of state

Six tigers and four other exotic animals seized by Ohio officials from their owner in January have been moved from a temporary holding facility to animal sanctuaries in three other states, the Ohio Department of Agriculture said Tuesday.

The move began late last week and the final two animals arrived Tuesday at a facility in Arizona, department spokeswoman Erica Hawkins said.

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NEWSLINK: Residents cautious after cougar sightings

A handful of cougar sightings in Clark County sparked social media buzz last week as residents used Facebook and Twitter to warn their friends and neighbors.

Tracy Nichols, founder of Northwest Love All Animal Rescue, encountered one of cats on the sanctuary’s grounds as she helped a group of volunteers setting up to exercise horses near dusk last Monday evening.

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NEWSLINK: For Rescued Baby Clouded Leopard, It’s Nursery Then Jungle Camp

Scared, sick, and tiny, the orphaned clouded leopard cub has made it to safety.

So far, experts don’t know how he was separated from his mother or who took him from the forest. But they do have the experience and resources to give this little 5-pound cub not only a chance at life, but also, eventually, a shot at freedom back in the wild.

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NEWSLINK: Noel Marshall's 'Roar' Dated for Blu-ray

The big cat-filled adventure arrives on Blu-ray in November.


In an early announcement to retailers, Olive Films will be releasing 'Roar' on Blu-ray on November 3.
Produced over the course of ten years, Roar is an audacious cinematic experiment: a thriller showcasing the majesty and ferocity of African lions, filmed on location amidst dozens of actual untrained cats.


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NEWSLINK: Big Cats Relocated to Pine County

Three tigers and a black leopard are making their home in Minnesota following a 20 hour road trip from New York.

The Wildcat Sanctuary transported the animals in a fully enclosed air conditioned trailer and they arrived in Pine County around 2 p.m., Wednesday.

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ARTICLE: 7 tigers moved to Kuno after 2010: Study

The news that the tiger, T-71, from Ranthambore National Park (a tiger reserve) in Rajasthan, was sighted on the periphery of Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh (MP) has again proved that a natural corridor for the big cat exists between the two sanctuaries.

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NEWSLINK: Big cat sanctuary seeks donations to help growth

The mission of the Center for Animal Research and Education is to give wild animals in need a permanent home here in North Texas.


But, as the animals grow, their space gets tighter, especially with their 500-pound lions and tigers.

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ARTICLE: Is the 'big cat' back?

Dog-walker Fraser Downer could not believe his eyes when a ‘big cat’ padded in front of him as he exercised his pair of whippets.


Mr Downer, from Finstock, was out with his 13-week-old son on Stonesfield Common near Charlbury when he glimpsed a tail in the long grass.

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NEWSLINK: Big Cats in Gloversville Get a New Home

A Gloversville man, forced to give up the three tigers and two leopards he's owned for the past 8 years has begrudgingly found a new home for the animals. After a 4-year legal battle, Steve Salton had to choose between his animals or jail time. 

He kept the big cats safe and healthy in enclosures at his home but the town argued that his property was not zoned for that type of use. A judge determined he had a year to get rid of the animals or he would face jail time. Salton had permits for all of the animals from the USDA and the DEC and the enclosures were inspected for safety three times a year but neighbors weren't happy about having the big cats so close and complained to town who says it was obligated to enforce the zoning rules.

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ARTICLE: Where are all the lions? Study shakes concept of predator-prey ratios.

Why aren’t there more lions?

That question fueled a science-shaking discovery about predator-prey ratios.

Double the prey does not mean double the predators, as one might expect. Instead, researchers found that an ecosystem crowded with prey held relatively fewer predators.

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NEWSLINK: Blind lion one of 32 rescued in major operation

A half-blind lion has been rescued from an illegal circus in Peru after suffering years of abuse.

The animal, named Joseph, was kept in a tiny cage and forced to perform circus acts.

Joseph was also denied medical treatment when he developed a cataract in his left eye.

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ARTICLE: Tour Guide Killed in Lion Attack Did Everything Right

The tour guide killed by a lion while on a walking safari in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park did everything right in responding to the attack, according to experts—but he still paid the ultimate price

Quinn Swales, 40, a professional guide, was leading a group of six tourists in the park—the former home of Cecil the lion—when they came upon a pride. The male lion got up and began approaching the tour group.

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NEWSLINK: There’s a Cecil the Lion Halloween Costume, and Yes, the Head Is Chopped Off

Dressing up in a hazmat suit for Halloween and impersonating a health care worker battling Ebola in West Africa is so last year. It’s still two months until the candy-filled, spooktacular holiday, but retailers are already lining up a fresh crop of questionable costumes. At the front of the politically incorrect pack: a gruesome getup that allows people to dress as Walter James Palmer, the Minneapolis dentist who outraged the world when he killed Zimbabwe’s famed Cecil the lion in July.

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VIDEO: Nerve-wracking moment brave dog goes head-to-head with two very big cats

It takes a brave animal to take on two lions - especially if said animal measures up at approximately half the size.

But this dog was clearly oblivious to its obvious disadvantages as it took on the two big cats, and managed to come out on top.

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NEWSLINK: Big Cat Habitat adds enclosures

Big Cat Habitat, an nonprofit safe haven for big cats, bears and other animals, has opened new enclosures and habitat areas for 12 big cats. The new areas will allow visitors safe, up-close viewing of the animals, including Brutus, a 4-year-old liger who outgrew existing enclosures.

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NEWSLINK: Hunters bagged 10,000 lions since 2003

Given that in Africa wild lions are in catastrophic decline–the latest International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) figures suggest that fewer than 20,000 remain–it may come as a shock to discover that as many as 10,000 of the continent’s iconic big cats were legally hunted and exported as trophies in the ten years ending in 2013.

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NEWSLINK: Leopard caught on CCTV near school

It was a close shave for more than 5,000 children and teaching staff who travel and walk towards the cluster of schools in the hill area adjoining Corbett National Park here. A leopard was captured on the CCTV camera of a reputed girls' school that has boarders as well as day scholars last weekend.

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ARTICLE: Cougar defies nightmare zoo by learning to walk again

Mickey the cougar could barely walk when rescuers found him.


Mickey had languished for years in a nightmarish backyard zoo in Alabama that was operating without a license — its USDA license was revoked in 2006. It had been discovered that the woman running the zoo, which was also serving as the local dog pound, was feeding domesticated dogs to her exotic cats. Big Cat Rescue was determined to save any animals it could from this horror story.

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