Danger of big cats in wrong hands
10:52 PM CST on Wednesday, November 5, 2008
ST. LOUIS (KMOV) -- Twice this year at two separate locations in Missouri, workers almost lost their lives in tiger attacks.
The terrifying incidents prompted News 4 to examine the exotic animal trade business and the potential danger of having big cats in the wrong hands.
Watch News 4 coverage
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Camels, zebras, spider monkeys, ostriches, sloths, even a baboon are all for sale at Lolli Bros. livestock auction in central Missouri.
(KMOV.com Extra: News 4 Investigates: Exotic Animal Trade)
An undercover News 4 camera also recorded a rare white lion cub, born in a small family-owned West Virginia zoo. She'll be sold at auction to the highest bidder.
The auction, which is legal, will sell hundreds of exotic species, but there is growing concern that because of auctions and backyard breeders, the big cats are winding up with people who may not appreciate the danger.
Dick Stephens bought his tigers from a backyard breeder when they were cubs.
Now he keeps the full-grown tigers in an outdoor cage at his home just north of Springfield.
Stephens downplays the danger, but a tiger lunged at News 4's Craig Cheatham when he got too close to the cage.
Three years ago, Ronda Good's 17-year old daughter Haley was supposed to be posing for a picture with a tiger cub at a Kansas sanctuary, but the cub wasn't available, so Haley stood next to a full grown tiger hooked to a chain.
Haley turned to run, and the tiger attacked.
Despite the obvious danger connected with owning big cats and other exotic animals, the Lolli Bros. auction has attracted a remarkable following.
During News 4's visit, vehicles with license plates from thirty states and Mexico were seen in the parking lot.
Julie Leicht is the executive director of the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, a group trying to strengthen the state's exotic animal laws, which she believes are among the weakest in the country.
Leicht says dangerous exotic animals like tigers, lions and bears should be microchipped and registered so the state can easily track them.
She said the owners should have to pay registration fees, should not be allowed to let anyone touch the animals and should be required to get insurance.
Leicht said neighboring states of Illinois, Iowa and Kansas all have stronger laws than Missouri.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration admits it has no idea how many lions and tigers are in America, but several animal welfare groups believe there could be thousands of them.
For now the fate of some potentially deadly, sometimes unregulated animals are in the hands of people who may not recognize the danger.
http://www.kmov.com/localnews/4investigates/stories/kmov-stlouis-081105-tigers-investigate.184d54e2f.html
Watch the video there. You can thank Big Cat Rescuer, La Wanna, for making this undercover story happen.
Tiger splish splash shows how your support helps stave off the boredom of captivity. Big Cat Rescue 12802 Easy St. Tampa, FL 33625 813.920.4130 BigCatRescue.org
My heart is broken. We made the decision to euthanize Cody on November 6, 2008. He was a much loved member of our family and the loss of him is hard to accept. I do believe that we made the right decision FOR HIM but it is impossible to know for sure. We do know that his quality of life was greatly diminished from the cat he once was. We also had the fear that he would suffer and die without us while we were at work or not at home for some other reason and could not bear that thought. We wanted him to go with us by his side. Loving him, petting him, kissing him, crying over him, and telling him how much he is loved.The song we chose is Godspeed by the Dixie Chicks which always has been and always will be, our song for him.
Taking action for animals is what Big Cat Rescuers do every day. Watch this new episode of Magnificent Obsessions starring our own operations manager, Scott Lope.
As a cub, Snorkel was forced to pose for photos with people. Then he ended up caged at a family circus. Now, he has found a true safe haven at Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, FL. Watch as he finally enjoys a taste of the wild, still much less than he truly deserves.
Imagine...It's the night of a full moon and you are groping through the underbrush in the wilds of a Florida forest when you hear the roar of lions and tigers so close you can almost feel their hot breath! Armed with only a flashlight you continue on at the urging of your guide and notice that you are the main attraction to all the wild animals living at Big Cat Rescue. You see hundreds of glowing eyes, all focused on you and as you pass the enclosures you hear the rushing of the great cats as they make a pounce for you in the dark. You'll hear the roaring of tigers, the screaming of cougars and the caterwauling of bobcats, lynx and more as you try to get back to the safety of your car. It's an adrenaline rush to turn the tables and become the hunted rather than the hunter. It's an experience you will remember and talk about for years to come.
Previously this tour was only offered to expedition guests, but due to popular demand, we decided to offer this exciting tour on the last Friday of each month and invite all brave souls to enjoy this awesome activity. THIS TOUR IS ONLY AVAILABLE ON THE LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH!!!
Cost is $50.00 per person.
For details call (813) 426-5948 or email Info@BigCatRescue.org
http://www.bigcatrescue.org/night_tours.htm
Shadow, our talking cougar, passed away on 10/02/08. Everyone who visited him at Big Cat Rescue in Tampa will remember him since he never had a guest or keeper come by that he didn't speak to. Though our big boy is gone, his big voice never will be. We will hear him and speak for him, as well as all captive wildlife, forever. This video was made as a memorial to Shadow. We will miss him so much, as will Sugar, his lifelong companion. R.I.P. Shadow
This video is about Tigers, I added a view photos of tigers, and some clips... I have also added a clip about how bad it is to have a tiger in a public place.
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