15 Dec 2013

Act Now to Protect Small Wild Felines

by Wanda Angermeyer | posted in: Cats in the wild, Cats of Asia, Endangered Cats, wild cat conservation | 0

Wild cats are in danger of disappearing all over the world. We need to learn more about the lives of small wild cats in their native habitat in order to protect them from such threats as habitat loss, persecution, poaching, illegal trade and human interference. There are many questions that must be answered before these threats can be addressed and conservation plans put in motion. Where are the cats located? What kind of habitat do they need? What do they eat? How large is the population?

Without all the ecological information gathered by field researchers, it is impossible to form conservation programs for small wild cats. Before the biologists can start their studies however, they must obtain funding for camera traps, radio-collars, salaries for local people and a host of other expenses. This rather specialized funding is getting increasingly hard to find, and many worthwhile projects are not able to be undertaken.

Join our growing list of small wild cat heroes. Please donate today.

100% of donations received go directly to wild cats

One small wild cat species in need of your support is the Borneo Bay Cat Pardofelis badia. It is the mystery member of the cat family. Nothing is known about their habits, behaviour, ecology or reproductive biology. Previously thought to be a small island form of the Asiatic Golden Cat Pardofelis temminckii, genetic testing has revealed the Bay Cat is a unique species, and therefore a highly endangered one. Learn more

Thank you for your support!

9 Dec 2013

Help Save Small Wild Cats

by Wanda Angermeyer | posted in: Cats in the wild, Cats of Africa, Endangered Cats, wild cat conservation | 0

Did you know the smallest wild cat species in the world weighs just 1.2 kg (2 pounds?) Like their big cousins, the small felines are under threat – habitat loss, illegal hunting for food and fur, persecution – these are just a few of the dangers facing them. ISEC Canada was formed in 1990 to help the 28 small cat species. You can help by making a donation.

100% of donations go to the cats!

Our programs support scientific field research learning about the cats in their native countries. For instance, research may help determine the actual number of Caracals in the wild which at present is unknown.

The word Caracal means ‘black ears’ in Turkish. Large, tapering ears with five cm erect tufts of black hair, used for communication, are the most unique feature of this cat. Black-backed ears, dark spots on both sides of the muzzle, black spots above the eyes and a black stripe from the eye to the nose break up an otherwise uniform tawny-brown to brick-red colouring. Learn more

Thank you for your support!

4 Dec 2013

Give Generously to the Tiny Wild Cats

by Wanda Angermeyer | posted in: Cats in the wild, Cats of Africa, Endangered Cats, wild cat conservation | 0

ISEC Canada has sponsored studies on small wild cats around the world. Where are the cats located? What kind of habitat do they use? What do they eat? How large is the population? These and many other questions must be answered before any conservation plans can be put in place.

100% of donations are sent directly to small wild cat conservation programs around the world.

One of the projects that we have supported annually since 1993 is the Black-footed Cat Project. ISEC Canada has been recognized as the longest running supporter of this project. This long-running field study is learning what these tiny cats need to survive in the deserts of South Africa, and we are proud to support this vital work. Please help us continue our support.

The Black-footed Cat Felis nigripes is Africa’s smallest felid, and among the smallest wild cat species in the world. As special adaptations to their desert habitat, these cats have a broad skull with large, rounded ears, which provide enhanced hearing in an area with scarce prey. Low-set ears are often completely flattened in an ‘aggressive’ posture, an adaptation to hunting in areas with little cover. They are protected from the hot sand by hair on the black soles of the feet. Learn more

Thank you for your support!

1 Dec 2013

Fund the Future of Small Cats

by Wanda Angermeyer | posted in: Cats in the wild, Cats of Africa, Endangered Cats, wild cat conservation | 0

Wild cats don’t have nine lives – their conservation begins with you!

100% of donations are sent directly to small wild cat conservation programs around the world.

Wildlife habitat is rapidly disappearing all over the world. Persecution, the bush meat trade, poisoning and the Asian medicine trade are also taking their toll on small wild cats. Field researchers are learning what these little cats need to survive, but equipment is costly, and they need your help. The African Golden Cat is one of the small cat species in need of your help.

The African Golden Cat Profelis aurata remains an enigma in the cat world. About twice the size of a domestic cat, they are very sturdy, powerful animals, with stout, relatively short legs and large paws. There are two colour phases: chestnut-red/fawn and silvery/dark slate-grey, of which the grey phase is often called the silver cat. Both red and grey phases occur in the same areas, and a few melanistic specimens have been recorded. Learn more

Thank you for your support!

22 Nov 2013

Contribute Now to Save Small Cats

by Wanda Angermeyer | posted in: Cats in the wild, Cats of Asia, Endangered Cats, wild cat conservation | 0

Wild cats like the Flat-headed Cat are in danger of disappearing all over the world. Habitat loss, persecution, poaching, illegal fur, food and pet trades, increased roads and other human interference in their habitats are taking their toll. So how do scientists and conservationists save wild cats?

The first step is to learn about their lives in the native habitat. Where are the cats located? What kind of habitat do they need? What do they eat? How large is the population? These and many other questions must be answered before suitable areas can be set aside and conservation plans put in motion.

100% of donations received go directly to wild cats

Your donations help field researchers purchase radio collars, cameras and other equipment to study the small wild cats. Join our growing list of small wild cat heroes. Please donate today.

Flat-headed Cats Prionailurus planiceps are the most unusual members of the cat family, with their long, narrow head and flattened forehead. In appearance, they bear a strong resemblance to the civets, which are not cats, but members of the Viverridae family. Learn more

Thank you for your support!

14 Nov 2013

Donate Today to Wild Cat Conservation

by Wanda Angermeyer | posted in: Cats in the wild, Cats of Europe, Endangered Cats, wild cat conservation | 0

Wild cats are in danger of disappearing all over the world. ISEC Canada was created as a conservation body totally dedicated to saving the 28 small wild cat species from extinction. One example of a wild cat species in need of your help is the Eurasian Lynx.

The Eurasian Lynx Lynx lynx is the largest lynx species, and has one of the widest ranges of any wild cat. Their fur has a usual ground colour of a yellowish-grey to greyish-brown, with white underparts. The soft, thick pelage is thickest on the back, and can be variably marked with more or less distinct dark spots, and sometimes small stripes. Learn more

100% of donations received go directly to wild cats

The increasing urbanization of western Europe, and the resulting loss of habitat and diminished prey base, have led to a severe reduction of the Eurasian Lynx population there. The first step is to learn about their lives in the native habitat. Where are the cats located? What kind of habitat do they need? What do they eat? How large is the population? These and many other questions must be answered before suitable areas can be set aside and conservation plans put in motion.

Your donations help field researchers purchase radio collars, cameras and other equipment to study the small wild cats.

Thank you for your support!

6 Nov 2013

Buy More Time for Small Wild Cats

by Wanda Angermeyer | posted in: Cats in the wild, Cats of South America, Endangered Cats, wild cat conservation | 0

Wild cats are in danger of disappearing all over the world. Habitat loss, persecution, poaching, illegal fur, food and pet trades, increased roads and other human interference in their habitats are taking their toll. So how do scientists and conservationists save wild cats?

Your donations help field researchers purchase radio collars, cameras and other equipment to study the small wild cats. Join our growing list of small wild cat heroes. Please donate today.

100% of donations received go directly to wild cats

One species that has been helped through research made possible by your support is the Andean Cat.

Andean Cats Leopardus jacobita are one of the most beautiful of all wild cats. The fur is mainly ash grey with brown-yellowish blotches that are distributed as vertical lines at both sides of the body, giving the appearance of continuous stripes. Extremely thick, plush fur of silvery grey is very fine and soft, up to 5 cm long on the back, and the underside is pale with dark spots. Prominent dark grey bars also run across the chest and forelegs. The backs of the large, rounded ears are dark grey, and the nose is black. Learn more

8 Sep 2013

Whose wild idea was this?

by Wanda Angermeyer | posted in: Cats in the wild | 2

Costa Rican officials announced in July that they are planning to close two zoos in the spring of 2014 in the interests of the animals welfare. The Simon Bolivar Zoo in San Jose and the Santa Ana Conservation Center are slated for closure. The zoos are to be converted in to urban parks where wildlife can roam freely. Some of these zoo animals are to be relocated to animal-rescue organizations and others are to be released to the wild. Unfortunately many of the rescue centres are already overcrowded after an influx of animals last December when a new law was passed making it illegal to keep wildlife as pets.

Costa_Rica_map_detail

Costa Rica Jungle — There are three small wild cat species found in Costa Rican forests.

I have put off writing this blog as I kept searching the internet hoping to find more details about the closure of these zoos and the fate of the animals. Unfortunately there does not seem to be many details about the relocation of the animals. I have not found a complete list of the animals housed at these zoos but there are reports that there are over 400 animals including a few large cats.The veterinarian from one of the zoos has expressed concerns about the suitability of most of the animals for release as many of the animals have health problems and lack natural instincts due to being raised in captivity.

There are many concerns should officials decide to release some of these animals. Reintroductions to the wild are frequently unsuccessful without taking the time to conduct proper planning, research and conditioning. A soft release where the animals are gradually returned to the wild while being monitored and fed would be preferred over a hard release where the animals are simply turned loose to fend for themselves. The success rate is much higher with captive animals in a reintroduction program that are raised from birth, receive little or no human contact and are exposed to simulated situations like those they will encounter in the wild. There is also the impact on the wild species and ecosystem already in place to consider.

7312375678_14146eab7a_z — Ocelot Leopardus pardalis

What is the current status of the wild populations of small wild cat species in the release areas and how will they be affected? Are the captive carnivores capable of hunting live prey? Will the released specimens become nuisance animals, preying on farmer’s livestock or getting in to garbage? Will these animals be monitored and if so, for how long? These are just a few of the questions that come to mind. While there are many who applaud this announcement, I have many concerns and will continue to monitor this story for updates.

15 Jul 2013

Celebrating Another Success for the Iberian Lynx Recovery Plan!

by Wanda Angermeyer | posted in: Cats in the wild, Cats of Europe, wild cat conservation | 0

A news article on June 27, 2013 from Portugal News Online reported that two Iberian Lynx born last year at the Silves Reproduction Centre in Portugal were recently released in to the Guarrizas Valley in Spain. Eleven of nineteen Iberian Lynx released into the wild so far this year were born at the Algarve-based CNRLI reproduction centre, in Silves. The cat’s first few days of freedom were monitored by radio and satellite.

So far this year 17 cubs have been born at the CNRLI centre in Silves, 15 of which are currently also being taught to live in the wild, in preparation for their release next year.

The Iberian, or Spanish, Lynx is currently the most endangered wild cat species in the world. The situation of the Iberian Lynx is so grave that it is the only felid species in which the costly and risky process of captive breeding and reintroduction is essential. The lynx is threatened by the collapse of its main prey, the European rabbit, whose population now numbers only about 5% of 1950 levels due mainly to the introduction of exotic diseases.

15 Jun 2013

Pallas Cats and Toxoplasmosis

by Wanda Angermeyer | posted in: Cats of Asia, Zoo cats | 0

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a common protozoan parasite (Toxoplasma gondii) found world wide that poses health risks to both humans and wildlife. The only definitive host for the parasite are members of the Felidae family (primarily domestic cats). Healthy infected cats typically do not show any signs that they carry the disease. The parasite develops in the host and oocysts (eggs) are shed in the feces. The oocysts are very resistant and can persist in the environment for over 12 months. Intermediate hosts (rodents, birds, sheep, cattle, pigs) ingest the oocysts and cysts are formed in different areas of the intermediate host’s body. The life cycle of the parasite is completed when an infected intermediate host is ingested by a cat.

Humans are usually infected through contact with infected cat feces or through undercooked meat containing cysts. Toxoplasmosis can cause serious health problems in pregnant women and individuals with a compromised immune system. Healthy people usually are not aware they have been infected.

Clinical disease is more likely to occur in cats with suppressed immune systems, including young kittens and cats with feline leukemia virus (FELV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Most cats can recover with a treatment of antibiotics and anti-parasitic drugs. There is no vaccine available.

Unfortunately, wild Pallas Cats also seem to be extremely sensitive to toxoplasmosis, causing a high mortality rate in the kittens. Please watch this 2008 video from the Linder Centre for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) at the Cincinnati Zoo for more information. I was not able to find more current information on how much progress has been made researching and controlling this problem in Pallas Cats.

Author Archives: Wanda Angermeyer