CLEO-CAT-TRA

Female Bobcat

DOB 4/14/96 DOD 8/24/12

Cleo-cat-tra is very shy and secretive. She is also very possessive of her territory, so much so that when Keepers are cleaning her Cat.a.tat, she will quickly run over and try to protect her leftover food or feces which she buries in large piles of leaves.

She challenges the Keepers each day with a steady growl and menacing glare. In order to clean her enclosure, Keepers must speak softly to her and never appear threatening.

Cleo also participates in the operant conditioning program and with time Keepers hope to create a bond with her that will ease her anxiety over having her Cat.a.tat cleaned.

8/24/12  Today as we were saying “Good-bye” to Selena Bobcat, Cleo Cat Tra was found “down”, unresponsive in her Cat-a-Tat.  She had been on treatment since 2003 for her heavy breathing, but the medication made her heavy, which didn’t help with her breathing issue.

Most of our bobcats were rescued from fur farms where they were being raised to slaughter for their fur.  Some were being sold at auction where taxidermists would buy them and club them to death in the parking lot, but a few were born here in the early days when we were ignorant of the truth and were being told by the breeders and dealers that these cats should be bred for “conservation.” Once we learned that there are NO captive breeding programs that actually contribute to conservation in the wild we began neutering and spaying our cats in the mid 1990’s.  Knowing what we do about the intelligence and magnificence of these creatures we do not believe that exotic cats should be bred for lives in cages. Read more about our Evolution of Thought HERE

Regina Rinaldi Aug 28, 2012
One of our prettiest bobs I always thought. Always feisty, always at the ready protecting her poop piles when I was a red shirt. She was always very sweet when it was time for medications, she always beat me to lockout and awaited her treat. I just loved my Cleo and it was a shock and I’ll miss her terribly.

Sharon Dower Aug 27, 2012
We were just starting to get good at Operant together. I will miss you.

Unknown Aug 27, 2012
Cleo-have to admit a couple of times you scared the you know what out of me coming out of nowhere to where I was standing, I will miss your fiestiness. Breathe easy now pretty lady and run free with all the others with no more pain. You will be missed M’Lady!

Unknown Aug 25, 2012
I only saw you a few times but you were a very spirited lady. Rest well sweet bobcat. Thank you to all the wonderful keepers who took such good care of her.

Pam Rodriguez Aug 25, 2012
Another beautiful creature has died, but she was truly loved, and cared for by all at BCR. Thank you.

Lynda Licht Aug 25, 2012
All I needed to know about bobcats I learned from you Cleo girl. Spirited, feisty and strong you always kept me on my toes. Hands down my favorite bob, I will miss you terribly but now you are breathing easy all that sweet heavenly air. Goodbye my love.