Eastern Kentucky proposal aims at getting rid of lion

PRESTONBURG, Ky. A proposed ordinance in eastern Kentucky’s Floyd County that would prohibit residents from owning dangerous animals means one woman would have to get rid of her lion.

Melissa Collins has a 3-year-old lion named "Kitty" that she says is harmless from its cage in rural Floyd County.

After hearing complaints from Collins’ neighbors about the lion, Floyd County officials want to prohibit the lion and other animals considered dangerous by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. The fiscal court has approved the first reading of the county ordinance.

Meanwhile, Floyd County Attorney Keith Bartley is working on finding a new home for Kitty, who he says is being cooped up like a big chicken.

A second reading of the proposed ordinance against dangerous animals is scheduled for May 19th.

Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com

Cougar cub rescued from firestorm faces bullet

By Daily Courier Staff

Thursday, April 27, 2006, 12:01 AM

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A baby cougar rescued during the Kelowna wildfire of 2003 will have to be put down if $22,000 can’t be raised for a proper cage, says a wildlife rescue society in Smithers that has been looking after the animal.

The cougar, now a three-year-old named Helena, has been kept in Smithers by Angelika Langen of the Northern Lights Wildlife Rehab Centre.

The cat is now fully grown and needs a larger cage because, says Langen, the conservation service won’t allow her to release Helena into the wild.

“They require that animals be released in the areas they came from,” said Langen. “And they have told us that we can’t release her in the Okanagan because she might be a danger to people.”

Langen said Helena is a “big, healthy cat” who would be able to look after herself in the wild.

“We consider her an ideal candidate for rehabilitation because she doesn’t show any inclination to like being around humans,” said Langen. “We have contacted zoos and refuges to find a home for Helena, but there is no market for cougars as they reproduce well in captivity.”

She said the authorities have given her three months to raise the cage money or Helena will have to be killed.

Attempts to reach the conservation service were not successful Wednesday.

Langen said she would keep Helena, but the steel cage for a cougar is too expensive for her society to fund.

“A major donor would be recognized by the use of their name on the enclosure,” she said. “The cougar would become the main focus of an important educational program at the centre (in Smithers).”

She said her society has saved hundreds of animals, including bears, deer and moose, over the last 15 years.

Langen can be reached at (250) 847-5101 or (250) 877-1181.

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813.493.4564 fax 885.4457

http://www.BigCatRescue.org MakeADifference@BigCatRescue.org

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