• Donate Now
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
Saturday, February 4, 2023
  • Login
  • Register
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
Home News @ BCR

Woman mauled by cheetahs last year is subject of article

BCR by BCR
November 21, 2009
in News @ BCR
0 0
0
0
SHARES
3
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

Berens was attacked last year by cheetahs she purchased for $40,000 (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/west/epaper/2008/04/05/m1a_cheetah_0406.html).

Horsewoman focuses on passion for big cats

By By Amy Bower Doucette
Posted: 10:50 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009

Judy Berens lives on several acres amid the sprawling equestrian estates of Wellington. Although she is an accomplished rider, Berens no longer has horses. Instead, she spends her time in the company of other large animals, including pumas, cheetahs and clouded leopards. In 1999, Berens founded the Panther Ridge Conservation Center (www.pantherridgesanctuary.org ). In the past few years, Berens has tapered off her champion hunter career and focused more on her passion for big cats.

“I’ve always been enamored with cats,” she said. “It’s only been the last year or two that they became my main responsibility.”

Panther Ridge is home to 22 cats, and can be toured by appointment. The former horse paddocks are now home to some of the world’s most endangered species. Most were abandoned by their owners once they got too large to be handled. Some, like Aztec the jaguar, once performed for people. Others, like Aztec’s mate Tia and Maya the puma, were declawed.

Not all the cats have a sad story. Berens considers the newest addition a bit of a miracle.

“Aztec’s friend Zeus, another male jaguar, died a little over a year ago,” Berens said. “Aztec started crying and calling. Somebody put me in touch with a woman who bought a rundown zoo in North Carolina. Tia was in the zoo. She was miserable for the same reason Aztec was — the cat in the cage next to her had passed away.”

Berens worked with the woman to get Tia down to Wellington, worrying the entire time that the two jaguars wouldn’t get along.

“They took one look at each other, and it was love at first sight. One hundred days from the third day they were together, Isabella was born,” Berens said.

As is the case with some older cats, Tia was unsure of how to care for her newborn. After a few days, Berens had to intervene. Now, instead of spending time in the saddle, Berens plays mom to a lively, spotted ball of fur. Bella lives with Berens in her home, which is filled with photos of both horses and cats.

The youngest member of Panther Ridge will be the guest of honor at the upcoming dinner benefit on Dec. 13 at Lola restaurant in Delray Beach. Panther Ridge depends heavily on donations. Feeding the cats alone costs about $40,000 per year. Berens relies on fund-raisers, tour groups, grants, dedicated volunteers and donors to keep the center open. She can’t keep up with the many calls she gets asking her to take in cats. Of course, the neighborhood comes with a few limitations.

“I’ve gotten requests to take tigers and lions, but they’re too big and noisy,” Berens said. “My neighbors, who just swing with this like it’s no big deal, would get a little annoyed if there was a lion roaring at all hours of the night.”

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/horsewoman-focuses-on-passion-for-big-cats-68961.html

———-

Learn more about big cats and Big Cat Rescue at http://bigcatrescue.org


Previous Post

Kansas zoo’s snow leopards enjoying the cooler weather

Next Post

Miami MetroZoo jaguar dies during surgery

BCR

BCR

Big Cat Rescue is Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Related Posts

News @ BCR

Insitu2021

January 17, 2023
64
2023-bigcatrescueinsitu  Woman mauled by cheetahs last year is subject of article jeg empty
News @ BCR

2022 Annual Report

December 31, 2022
312
Priya bathing. Priya tiger at Big Cat Rescue.  Woman mauled by cheetahs last year is subject of article jeg empty
Featured Cat Videos

Priya bathing. Priya tiger at Big Cat Rescue.

December 9, 2022
471
Kali tiger sleeping  Woman mauled by cheetahs last year is subject of article jeg empty
News @ BCR

Big Cat Coalition

December 6, 2022
3.2k
Alex el Tigre  Woman mauled by cheetahs last year is subject of article jeg empty
Featured

Big Cat Rescue is Live 24/7 on Webcams

October 5, 2022
445.4k
Next Post

Miami MetroZoo jaguar dies during surgery

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (0)
  • Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Recent Articles

  • Insitu2021 January 17, 2023
  • Smell my beans! Priya tiger at Big Cat Rescue. January 13, 2023
  • Want! Kekoa and Makani rehab bobcats at Big Cat Rescue. January 13, 2023

Recent Comments

  • Deb Quimby on Koda Lioness
  • heather elliott on Sapphire
  • Jason Jenkins on Tiger Facts
  • Claire Pritchett on Koda Lioness
  • Deb Quimby on Jinx

Save Big Cats

Donate to Big Cat Rescue

Sanctuary Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

More from Big Cats

  • Big Cat Rescue is Live 24/7 on Webcams
  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Big Cat Rescue News
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Insitu2021

January 17, 2023
Smell my beans! Priya tiger at Big Cat Rescue.  Woman mauled by cheetahs last year is subject of article jeg empty

Smell my beans! Priya tiger at Big Cat Rescue.

January 13, 2023
Want! Kekoa and Makani rehab bobcats at Big Cat Rescue.  Woman mauled by cheetahs last year is subject of article jeg empty

Want! Kekoa and Makani rehab bobcats at Big Cat Rescue.

January 13, 2023

© Copyright 2023 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • About BCR
  • Videos
  • Big Cat Facts
  • Cub Facts
  • Our Cat Stories
  • Sanctuary Cats
  • Shop and Save Cats
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Abuse Issues
  • Contact Us

© Copyright 2023 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist