Lots of new Cat News

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/big-cats/

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Highlights re: exotic cats:

Direct contact with dangerous animals (eg, nonhuman primates, certain carnivores, other species that may serve as reservoirs for rabies, and venomous reptiles (more completely described in the Animal Care and Management section) should be completely prohibited.

Checking teeth on a bobcat to determine age — Even a 20 lb bobcat has wicked teeth

Animals Not Recommended in School or Child-Care Settings

• Inherently dangerous animals (eg, lions, tigers, cougars, and bears).

• Nonhuman primates (eg, monkeys and apes).

• Mammals at high risk for transmitting rabies (eg, bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes).

• Aggressive or unpredictable wild or domestic animals.

In 1986, ringworm in 23 persons and multiple animal species was traced to a Microsporum canis infection in a hand-reared tiger cub at a zoo. 149. Scott WA. Ringworm outbreak. Vet Rec 1986;118:342.

Although infectious diseases are the most commonly reported health problems associated with animals in public settings, other health risks exist. Injuries associated with animals are a commonly reported and important problem. For example, dog bites are a substantial community problem for which specific guidelines have been written. Injuries associated with animals in public settings include bites, kicks, falls, scratches, stings, crushing of the hands or feet, and being pinned between the animal and a fixed object.

These injuries have been associated with large cats (eg, tigers), monkeys, and other wild, zoo, or domestic animals. Settings have included public stables, petting zoos, traveling photo opportunities, schools, children’s parties, dog parks, and animal rides.k,n–p For example, a Kansas teenager was killed while posing for a photograph with a tiger being restrained by its handler at an animal sanctuary. Associated Press. Teen killed by tiger at Kansas sanctuary. 2005. Available at www.foxnews.com/story/2005/08/19/teen-killedby-tiger-at-kansas-sanctuary/. Accessed Sep 6, 2013

Dangerous animals—Because of their strength, unpredictability, or venom, or the pathogens that they might carry, certain domestic, exotic, or wild animals should be prohibited from exhibition settings where a reasonable possibility of animal contact exists. Species of primary concern include nonhuman primates (eg, monkeys and apes) and certain carnivores (eg, lions, tigers, ocelots, wolves and wolf hybrids, and bears). In addition, direct contact with species known to serve as reservoirs for rabies virus (eg, bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes) should not be permitted.

Because of the extended incubation period for rabies, unvaccinated mammals should be vaccinated at least 1 month before they have contact with the public.

Download the entire report on animals that should not be handled in public settings here.

Vet Med Today: Public Veterinary Medicine JAVMA, Vol 243, No. 9, November 1, 2013

A Historic Day for Snow Leopards!

I have great news to share with you from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan!

I have just returned from the Global Snow Leopard Conservation Forum, held in the Kyrgyz capital on October 23rd. The forum was a great success, leading to an unprecedented commitment from all 12 range countries to save snow leopards!

The range countries adopted an official declaration to conserve snow leopards and a unified global snow leopard recovery plan. This plan outlines what needs to be done to secure the snow leopard’s future, and each range country has pledged to take decisive action. In fact, they have a goal to work together to identify and secure at least 20 healthy landscapes for snow leopards by 2020–now known as ‘Secure 20 by 2020.’

Most of the credit belongs to President Almazbek Atambayev of the Kyrgyz Republic, who initiated the multi-country effort in 2012, reaching out to the World Bank to help organize this landmark conservation forum; and to the governments of the other 11 range countries, who have all participated actively in the process.

However, I want to point out how proud YOU can be of this achievement.

Your generous support over the last years has allowed us to grow into a truly global leader in snow leopard conservation, and has enabled us to play a key role in realizing President Atambayev’s vision: We were asked to join the process leading up to this Forum in the very early stages, providing technical support and and playing a major role in guiding the drafting of the Global Snow Leopard Conservation and Ecosystem Recovery Program the range countries have just endorsed.

To give you an idea of what you’ve helped us achieve: Four of our Country Program Directors were asked by their governments to join the official country delegations in Bishkek. In other words: One out of every three snow leopard range countries had a Trust representative advise them on the most important snow leopard conservation commitment they’ve ever made – endorsing a landmark conservation strategy that will impact the future of snow leopard conservation for the next 7 years.

I want to thank you. It’s not a stretch to say that your support has been crucial in reaching this milestone for snow leopards, and I have no words to express how grateful I am for this.

To mark and remember this momentous occasion, and to bring greater awareness to snow leopards worldwide, October 23rd is also now recognized by all range countries as International Snow Leopard Day.

It’s a great success that we’ve managed to secure such a strong conservation commitment from all the snow leopard range countries. But, when reflecting on this past week on the way home, I’ve also realized that this is really where our work begins. Together with the range countries and countless international partners, we have laid a solid foundation for the cats’ future. Now, it’s up to everyone involved to carry the momentum created in Bishkek forward and take action!

I hope you will continue to support us as we advance on this exciting path. I hope this year and every year forward you will help us work toward our 20 by 2010 goal, and I hope you will take part in International Snow Leopard Day. Together, I know we can carry this moment forward to a better, brighter future for snow leopards.

http://www.snowleopard.org/snow-leopard-countries-pledge-to-save-cats

Thank you very much,

Brad Rutherford
Executive Director
Snow Leopard Trust

FWC shuts down illegal monkey sales

After two months of investigation, a black-market monkey operation in northwest Miami was closed down by a team of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers and investigators.

Jorge A. Garcia (DOB 10/28/58) had been operating a business breeding and selling several species of monkeys.

“This business has been operating for seven years,” said Capt. David Dipre, area investigations supervisor for the FWC. “We have been looking into it and were, fortunately, able to shut it down.”

Anyone wishing to possess, exhibit or sell monkeys in Florida must be properly licensed. This ensures that the animals are treated humanely and kept in healthy conditions, and that all humans interacting with the animals remain safe.

“This business was not only selling the monkeys without a license, but selling them to unlicensed individuals as well,” Dipre said. “So, people were receiving these animals without the proper training and knowledge to care for them. Also, the buyers were violating the law themselves, perhaps unknowingly.”

Twenty-eight monkeys, as well as other wildlife, were seized and placed in licensed facilities.

The people running the operation face charges of possession of wildlife without a permit, sale of wildlife without a permit, sale or transfer of wildlife to an unlicensed person, caging violations and records-keeping violations. These could lead to fines and/or jail time.

If you know of or suspect any similar violations, please report them to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline by calling 888-404-3922 or texting Tip@MyFWC.com.

For more information on legally and responsibily owning captive wildlife, please visit MyFWC.com/Wildlife.