See Big Cats LIVE 24/7 on Explore.org

explore.org Launches Big Cat Rescue Live Cams

Philanthropic Media Organization Expands Community with Accredited Exotic Cat Sanctuary

Santa Monica, CA and Tampa, FL — December 3, 2015 — explore.org, the philanthropic media organization and media division of the Annenberg Foundation is welcoming a herd of big cats to its roster of live cams from around the world. Together with Big Cat Rescue, one of the largest accredited sanctuaries in the world and home to 90+ lions, tigers, leopards, cougars, bobcats, servals, caracals, ocelots and other wild cats, explore.org will broadcast the daily antics of big cats that have been rescued from poor conditions.

The cams were set up to serve as an educational tool for kids and adults alike, and will provide unprecedented access into the lives of some of the earth’s most revered and endangered animals.

explore.org has installed six cameras throughout the sanctuary, placed in strategic locations to give a diverse look at different breeds as they go about their lives in expansive, natural habitats. From the “Vacation Rotation” where cats get to experience a change of pace on two-week vacations, to feeding stations to the on site “cat hospital” where exams and surgeries are performed, the Big Cat Live cams will allow viewers to experience different aspects of the sanctuary and follow the cast of characters the non-profit tends to on a daily basis. Cams can be viewed at https://explore.org/bigcatrescue

In addition to fixed cameras, explore.org has enabled mobile capabilities so caretakers can voyage through the sanctuary and teach viewers about different behaviors and procedures that make the rescue such a special place.

Big Cat Rescue, which has saved more than 250 exotic cats who were previously kept as pets, discarded from zoos, or used as performing acts since its inception in 1992, will expand its vibrant digital community to include 24/7 coverage from various living facilities on the Tampa-based property. “If not for Big Cat Rescue, a lot of these animals would be dead or in dire conditions,” said Tom Pollak, co-founder of explore.org.

“We are so thankful to explore.org for working with us to showcase the daily routine at Big Cat Rescue,” said Carole Baskin, Founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue said. “Our fans have told us they just can’t get enough of their favorite cats, even though we produce several videos a week. The live webcams will enable our supporters to have 24/7 access to our big cats, rehabilitation bobcats and fostered domestic kittens they have come to know and love. Even more exciting is that we will be able to reach out to explore.org’s nature lovers and begin conversations on the plight of big cats and what they can do to protect them.”

explore.org is the largest producer of live nature content in the world, with over 100 cams installed in remote locations around the world. The big cat live cams join a roster of content that includes anything from wild Polar Bears, Brown Bears, Belugas, Orcas, Bison, Puffins and Osprey to an abundance of wildlife in African water holes to cams focused on service dogs being raised to help veterans in need.

“When people are inspired to fall in love with the world and its creatures, they are more likely to be better stewards of the planet,” said Charlie Annenberg, founder of explore.org and VP of the Annenberg Foundation

More on the Cats and Live Cams

Big Cat Rescue works with the local Humane Society of Tampa Bay to foster domestic kittens, from birth up to two pounds. These kittens have been rescued from the county shelters, and when they reach two pounds they are spayed, neutered and placed in permanent homes by the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. The Kitten Cabana Cam will give a closer look at the adopted kittens, as they’re bottle fed and cared for at night, and brought to the Kitten Cabana during the day for socialization with other cats. This camera is sure to provide a cuteness overload.

The Vacation Rotation Cam is fixated on a 2.5 acre enclosure called the Vacation Rotation where each lion and tiger gets a two-week vacation out in the big play area (most of the big cats’ home habitats are 1200 square feet to half an acre). Look for cats by the pond, the cave, and on the platforms. Tune in regularly to see different cats taking it easy out here.

There will also be a Feeding Station Cam that is attached to the Vacation Rotation. Each lion and tiger gets a two-week vacation out in the big play area and this cam shows where they’re fed. Tune in regularly to see different cats dining.

Most of the cat are in their late teens and early 20’s. Due to their advanced ages, Big Cat Rescue does between 70-90 medical procedures a year. One of the live cameras is positioned directly above the operating table in the onsite Windsong Memorial Hospital. Never before has the public been able to observe cats like tigers, lions and leopards receiving vet care live as it happens. Fans can now sign up for text alerts, so they are notified the moment something is happening in the Windsong Memorial Hospital.

Another mission of the Big Cat Rescue is to rehabilitate native bobcats, and give them a second chance at living free after they have been shot, hit by cars, poisoned or orphaned.  They get them ready for release back to the wild, help them learn, and regain the muscle strength necessary, to hunt, climb and run. One of the explore.org cameras will trained on the bobcat rehab area of the sanctuary, offering viewers never-before-seen views of these wild cats being prepared for release back into the wild.

The celebrity of the sanctuary is Nikita, the biggest lioness you will ever see! At close to 500 pounds, she is larger than most male lions. Nikita was seized in a drug raid, sent to a zoo, and then rescued by Big Cat Rescue. Her favorite spots are up on the platform and back in the bushes to the left of this enclosure. Viewers will be able to watch as Nikita is fed, given enrichment and has her enclosure cleaned by our dedicated keepers. Find out more about Nikita here.

More About explore.org: explore.org is a philanthropic media organization and a multi-media division of the Annenberg Foundation. Created by filmmaker and philanthropist Charles Annenberg Weingarten to champion the selfless acts of others, inspire lifelong learning and help people fall in love with the world again, explore.org is home to more than 300 original films and a massive library of world-class photography from all over the globe. In addition, explore.org recently launched Pearls of the Planet, a growing collection of live HD cameras that provide people with an unprecedented view into the lives of amazing animals and beautiful places around the world. As an advertising-free philanthropic media organization, explore.org prides itself on purity and regularly provides grants to organizations focused on improving the human condition and the planet.

More About Big Cat Rescue

Big Cat Rescue, one of the world’s largest accredited sanctuaries for exotic cats, is a leading advocate in ending the abuse of captive big cats and saving wild cats from extinction. The sanctuary is situated on 67 acres in the Citrus Park area of north Tampa, and home to over 90 lions, tigers, bobcats, cougars, servals and other species most of whom have been abandoned, abused, orphaned, saved from being turned into fur coats, or retired from performing acts.

Check out the live webcams at https://explore.org/bigcatrescue

#bigcatweek #bigcatrescue #explore #startwith1thing

More About Big Cat Rescue on Explore.org

Big Cat Rescue is the leading voice in the sanctuary community for the tens of thousands of lions, tigers, leopards and other exotic cats who are languishing in backyards, basements, circus wagons and shoddy tourist traps around the world. It is working to end the trade in big cats as pets, props and for their parts by reaching out through social channels to inspire action. With more than 1.7 million Facebook fans and more than 250,000 subscribers to their YouTube.com channel, their videos have had more than 120 million views.

Established in 1992 Big Cat Rescue has saved more than 250 exotic cats who were previously kept as pets, discarded from zoos and performing acts, or who came from the fur farming industry.

The Tampa based sanctuary currently houses 90+ lions, tigers, leopards, cougars, bobcats, servals, caracals, ocelots and other wild cats.

In addition to providing lifetime care for captive born exotic cats, Big Cat Rescue also rescues, rehabs and releases native bobcats.  Big Cat Rescue works with the local Humane Society of Tampa Bay and to date has fostered more than 275 domestic cats and kittens.  Big Cat Rescue works with field biologists, conservationists and wild cat experts around the world to protect these rare and endangered species.

Carole Baskin, Founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue said, “We are so thankful to Explore.org for partnering with us to showcase the daily routine at Big Cat Rescue. Our fans have told us they just can’t get enough of their favorite cats, even though we produce several videos a week. The live webcams will enable our supporters to have 24/7 access to the cats and kittens they have come to know and love. Even more exciting is that we will be able to reach out to Explore.org’s nature lovers and begin conversations on the plight of big cats and what they can do to protect them.”

Check out the live webcams at https://explore.org/bigcatrescue

Big Cat Vacation Rotation

Big Cat Rescue sends their cats on vacation! This area is a 2.5 acre enclosure called the Vacation Rotation. Each lion and tiger gets a two week vacation out in the big play area. (Most of the big cats home cages are 1200 square feet to half an acre each.) Favorite places to look for cats in here are the pond, the cave out in the distance and on the platforms. Tune in regularly because every two weeks you will see different cats.

https://explore.org/live-cams/player/big-cat-rescue-vacation-rotation

Big Cat Feeding Station

Big Cat Rescue sends their cats on vacation! This feeding station is attached to a 2.5 acre enclosure called the Vacation Rotation. Each lion and tiger gets a two week vacation out in the big play area and this station is where they are fed. Tune in regularly because every two weeks you will see different cats.

https://explore.org/live-cams/player/big-cat-rescue-feeding-station

Kitten Cabana

Big Cat Rescue fosters domestic kittens from birth up to two pounds. These kittens have been rescued from the county shelters where they were turned in to be euthanized. When the kittens reach 2 pounds they are spayed, neutered and placed in permanent homes by the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. The kittens are bottle fed and cared for by our onsite Interns at night and then brought to the Kitten Cabana during the day for socialization with other cats and our other Volunteers. If you see a kitten that you would like to adopt, please contact https://humanesocietytampa.org/

https://explore.org/live-cams/player/big-cat-rescue-kitten-cabana

 

 

More Live Webcams Coming Soon!