April 2 2019

Big Cat Updates

Wild Bobcat, Sky and her babies
Joe Convicted and additional issues raised
News about Bravo and Tango.
List of April birthday cats
& more

Alexa Flash Briefing – Convicted!

I am grateful that justice was served and Joe Schreibvogel-Maldonado-Passage hopefully will serve time in prison and no longer present a threat either to me or to his former big cats. While media attention regarding this trial has primarily focused on the murder for hire charges, there is a much larger significance to the wildlife charges.

For years, a network of big cat owners like Passage who have engaged in cruel cub petting schemes and the exhibition of big cats have also been engaging in the illegal sale of tigers and other animals back and forth among themselves simply by checking the box on the USDA transfer form that says “donated” instead of “sale” and quietly paying cash for the animals. During the trial, several big cat owners were specifically mentioned as people Passage had sold tigers to.

We believe this illegal practice is common among cub breeders and exhibitors; Bhagavan Antle, Tim Stark, Bill Meadows, Mario Tabraue, Kathy Stearns, Robert Engesser, Jeff Lowe, and Omar Villareal are some of the most notorious. I hope that the detailed evidence of these illegal transfers developed for this trial will lead to more prosecutions to protect captive big cats in this country from this illegal trade. ~ Carole Baskin, Founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpXsuzrrEjs

Read more about this at http://bigcatrescue.org/joe-exotic-arrested-murder-hire/ That page has been updated.

In response, I purr-sonally urge each one of you to continue making your regular Calls of the Wild at BigCatAct.com because doing so not only saves big cats and their babies but also lets Carole know how much we all appreciate her example of dedication to big cats and big cats issues. ~ LaWanna

In case you have missed previous days’ news briefings you can find them all at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCPv8ivo6o4CZHFifkfRYDw

Coordinator Report – Devin Saari

Today was a great day and thank you to everyone who signed up to help out!

Mazz smashed food-prep today, getting it done before lunch!
Sharon Henry and Marie Schoubert did the cicle cats

There were a few projects done today!

Mazz and Brooklynne Dillon raked over behind Apollo.
Tanya Chute and Caity Farr weed whacked over by the hospitals.
Tanya Chute swept and mopped the big hospital.

Thank you again to everyone who came in today!
-Devin Saari

Bobcat Rehab

Momma Sky and her three kittens: Meet our newest rehab bobcat named Sky. She was trapped by a farmer who feared she was a nuisance and would harm or damage his property. While waiting to be rescued, you will never believe what happened!! Meet Sky and her babies at BigCatRescue.org/sky/

Bravo and Tango Update: Rehab bobcats, Bravo and Tango, will be released in the very near future. Jamie has found a wonderful release site where they will have plenty of space, water, shelter, and prey. When we can release more details, we will post it. Until they are released you can watch them on the awesome Explore live streaming webcam at Explore.org/bigcatrescue. Find the direct link to the bobcat rehab webcam at BigCatCams.com.

Learn more about out wild bobcat rehab and release program at BigCatRescue.org/bobcat-rehab/

April Birthday Cats – Will you do a Facebook fundraiser for them on their birthdays since they cannot do one themselves?

Join us in wishing the following cats HAPPY BIRTHDAY during April 2019.

Tiger Lilly Bobcat 4/30/1995 24 years old
Breezy Bobcat 4/14/1996 23 years old
Andi Bobcat 4/22/1997 22 years old
Pharaoh Serval 4/22/1999 20 years old
Kricket Serval 4/1/2001 18 years old
Natalia Amur Leopard 4/6/2001 18 years old
Moses Bobcat 4/22/2001 18 years old
Hoover Tiger 4/23/2004 15 years old
Simba Hybrid 4/1/2005 14 years old
Smalls Bobcat 4/1/2013 5 years old

Sponsor one of the April Birthday Cats at https://big-cat-rescue.myshopify.com/collections/sponsor-a-cat

Go to https://www.facebook.com/fund/bigcatrescue/ to set up a fundraiser for one of the cats above. If you need a photo of a birthday cat to use on your fundraiser email me at lawanna.mitchell@bigcatrescue.org.

It takes close to four million a year to run the sanctuary so your Facebook fundraisers, YouTube video sharing, and Smile.Amazon.com purr-chases are a HUGE help. REMEMBER, at Big Cat Rescue 100% of public donations are used ONLY ON THE CATS! See Charity Navigator to see that we have received their highest star rating every year and have even scored 100% on their evaluation.

Videos of the Day

Q&A at Big Cat Rescue – Follow along as Keeper Brittany shows you many of the Tigers, Lion, Leopards, Jaguar, Cougars, Lynx, Servals, Bobcats, Savannah Cats and an Ocelot that Call Big Cat Rescue was Rescue Home! Cats Featured: Smalls, Nala, Zucari, Hutch, Ginger, and Cyrus.

Chat with Keeper Angie in Spanish (Streamed LIVE earlier today on Ell Dodo)

Tiger Watching at night – Watch LIVE Streaming Big Cat Webcams found at Explore.org/bigcatrescue or find the individual webcam links at BigCatCams.com.

Amanda Tiger Up Close – Watch LIVE Streaming Big Cat Webcams found at Explore.org/bigcatrescue or find the individual webcam links at BigCatCams.com.

Nikita Lion trying to ignore a pesky bird – Bird might be just a little too ‘brave.’ Watch LIVE Streaming Big Cat Webcams found at Explore.org/bigcatrescue or find the individual webcam links at BigCatCams.com.

Merchandise of the Day

Cub Petting – IT’S THE LEADING CAUSE OF BIG CAT ABUSE – Tiger cubs are adorable and the desire to pet or take a photo with one is understandable unless you know the dark underside of this seemingly innocent activity. Contrary to the claims of the exhibitors, cub petting results in a life of misery for the animals, both as cubs and later as adults, and actually has a negative impact on conservation. So please do not “pay to play” with tiger cubs and help us educate others not to support this abusive exploitation.