Big Cat Health

Artemis Cougar still isn’t eating but her brothers are starting to eat since their move. Keepers are doing all they can to entice her, but it could take a couple days.

Explore.org viewers noted that Nikita Lion vomited some bile. Thanks to their watchful eyes we were able to note it on her daily health chart. Out in her big yard, we might not have seen it otherwise.

Big Cat Moves

Desiree Serval is home from vacation to a newly remodeled Cat-a-Tat.

JoJo Caravel is on vacation in the 22,000 sf FunCation.

Zabu and Cameron were turtle hunting this morning, but Keepers came to the rescue and moved him to the big lake.

How to Separate Cougars for Feeding

Artemis gets shut in the cage across from the memorial wall, go between the two dens and close the tunnel door on the left side. there is wire on the cage so they can not access the rope on that door.The boys get separated by the door with the cable on it behind the corner of the leopard lounge.
Close all the lockout doors as they have cable on them now.

Getting New Meds

Will & Anasazi Bobcats are on medication for parasites. Please keep them separated until they have taken the last of their medication tomorrow evening. Will Bobcat Notes: AM refused all food, was in big den wouldn’t come out. PM – Ate chick with meds.

Are You Coming to the Wildcat Walkabout?

Join us on Saturday, October 1st, 2016 for our Wildcat Walkabout. This is a charity event to raise money for projects benefiting big cats in the wild including tigers, lions, Canada lynx, jaguars, and clouded leopards. Get your tickets before they sell out!!

Purchase Tickets Here: http://bigcatrescue.org/safari-days/

CONSERVATION GROUPS WELCOME INTENTION OF LAOS TO PHASE OUT TIGER FARMS

JOHANNESBURG: Laos has today formally announced its intention to phase out controversial tiger farm operations.

The announcement was made during the 67th Meeting of the Standing Committee to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), ahead of the 17th Conference of the Parties (CoP17) to CITES in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Tiger farms and captive tiger facilities in Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and, especially, China have long been a source of tiger skins, bones, teeth and claws – a trade which perpetuates the desirability of tiger products, adding intolerable pressure to the world’s remaining wild tiger populations.

Investigations by the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), Education for Nature Vietnam and Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand have documented how weak legislation, poor enforcement capacity and cooperation, have enabled Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese criminal networks engaged in tiger farming and trade to operate with impunity.

A series of recommendations from the CITES Secretariat at this meeting call for urgent measures to improve the law enforcement and criminal justice response to illegal wildlife trade in Laos.

The Secretariat notes special concern at the lack of enforcement in areas such as the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.

The statement by H.E. Mr Sommad Pholsena, Laos Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, that it was “looking for ways to phase out tiger farms” signals a shift, but there is much to be done to convert words in to action.

Debbie Banks, Head of EIA’s Tiger Campaign, said: “If the Minister invites international technical experts to assist with an audit of tigers and facilities and the development of a phase-out plan, it would put Laos streets ahead in implementing CITES measures to end tiger farming.

“All eyes now are on China, Thailand, Vietnam and other countries with tiger farms – Will they follow suit and finally commit to ending tiger farming?”

• Interviews are available on request; please contact Debbie Banks via debbiebanks@eia-international. org or +27 6062 95319.

ARTICLE EDITORS’ NOTES

1. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) is a UK- and Washington DC-based Non-Governmental Organisation that investigates and campaigns against a wide range of environmental crimes, including illegal wildlife trade, illegal logging, hazardous waste and trade in climate and ozone-altering chemicals.

2. For more information on this issue, read EIA Briefing for CITES CoP17 – Asian big cats here.

Environmental Investigation Agency
62-63 Upper Street
London N1 0NY
UK
www.eia-international.org
Tel: +44 207 354 7960

Carole’s Note: Judy Mills will be helping President Jamie Boorstein make the connections with the Lao government to start helping them with plans to phase out tiger farms. We have done similar presentations in Mexico, when they banned the use of big cats in circus acts. Whenever the governments do the right thing to protect big cats, Big Cat Rescue is there to assist them in the next stage of enforcement and rescue.