Wild Facts
Learning Center
Wild Facts
African Greys
Wolf Hybrids
Bobcats
Bengal Tigers
Macaw
Cougar
Red-Tailed Boas
Baboons
African Tortoises
Lilac Crowned Amazons
Donkeys
Iguanas
Ducks
Leopards
Emus
Jaguar
Coyotes
Servals
Ball Pythons
Lynx
Russian Tortoises
Brown Tufted Capuchins
Coatimundis
Raccoon
Conures
Skunks
Ravens
Sun Conures
White Bengal Tiger
Leopards
Grand Eclectus Parrots
Leopard Tortoise
Goats
Pot Bellied Pigs
Lions
Ostriches
Wolves
Uromastyx Lizard
Click on an image to enlarge it.
Endangered
ENDANGERED SPECIES About Endangered SpeciesIn recent years, people around the world have become more aware of the threat that humans pose to nature. The phrase "endangered species" has unfortunately come into common usage for people of all ages.Extinction of species - when a type of animal or plant is completely wiped out from the earth - can be a naturally occurring event. When dinosaurs ceased to walk the planet. It was due to a variety of natural causes, and their inability to adapt to environmental shifts. In the present era, the era of man, there is an unprecedented number of species which are threatened, endangered or already extinctMan has become the most powerful species on Earth, determining the destiny of the planet according to his immediate need. The decrease in animal and plant species is no longer due only to natural causes. There are currently over 1,000 species of animal (with about half of those native to the United States) on the Endangered List, and about 25,000 species of plants. Since man first came to this country in 1620, more than 500 species of native American animals and plants have been lost to us forever. In the next 20 years, 25% of all species now alive may become extinct. It is easy to see that the modernization and industrialization of the natural world has sped up the process of species extinction to the point where species we have not yet discovered are being lost.Understanding the process, the causes, and how one can help is the first step to helping preserve the beautiful and delicate world we live in.Why Do Animals Become Endangered?The biggest problem facing animals and plants today is habitat loss. While man's population continues to grow and spread, animals are forced to live in smaller and more crowded areas. Man is also responsible for large scale destruction of habitat through deforestation, damming and flooding large areas, filling in wetlands, building and development, and otherwise driving many species from their homes.Environmental pollution is another factor in habitat destruction. Man pollutes the air, water and land in many forms; pesticides, industrial smog, toxic waste, car fumes, landfills, and plastic debris are just a few examples.Exploitation for commercial use is the most serious problem facing many species today; elephants, rhinos, whales, and turtles are just some of the species man uses and abuses for profit. Whether it be for fur, ivory or other commodities derived from animals, the human idea that animals and plants exist exclusively as a resource for man puts us in danger of losing forever some of the world's most spectacular creatures. There are also other factors; disease, predation, sport hunting and trapping, and the exotic pet trade all contribute to and are leading to the extermination of thousands of the world's animals and plantsHow Does the Listing Work?The United States uses a rather long process for placing a species on the endangered list. There are two stages or classifications for a species perceived to be in danger of extinction. The first stage is "threatened" and the next "endangered".An endangered species is defined as one which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its historic range. A threatened species is defined as one which is very likely to become endangered in the near future. Before a species is placed on the list, it must be recommended for consideration. If there is a serious decrease in population of the species, and this trend is expected to continue, the species will be added to the list. When a species is listed as threatened or endangered, it becomes protected by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, a Federal law regulating all the activity relating to the preservation of a species. This includes any killing of the species, any commerce in it and also preservation of its habitat.The process of having a species added to the list can take several years. There are currently hundreds of species waiting to be researched sufficiently to determine whether they need the protection of the listing. Unfortunately, not all of these animals can afford the wait.Why Should We Save Endangered Species?There is no doubt that many species of endangered animals and plants are beautiful to look at. But, what about the ones who are not so beautiful, and don't seem to serve any special purpose? Why should we be so concerned?The Endangered Species Act of 1973 states that endangered and threatened species "are of esthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational and scientific value to the Nation and its people". There are six excellent reasons to take into consideration when we decide the future of other creatures on this planet.Each species on our planet has a special niche to fill. The value of a species is not always readily apparent to man, and yet if we fail to recognize a species' intrinsic value, the results can be disastrous. The ecosystem a species lives in is fragile and interdependent. That is, each species in its natural environment fulfills a need, has a function and depends on and is depended upon by another species, or many other species. For example, man has hunted, trapped and poisoned wolves for hundreds of years because he believes they are a nuisance and a danger to his livestock and to himself. The absence of the wolf, a predator species, over much of its historical range has resulted in an overpopulation of food species like deer and elk in some areas.Overpopulation is a danger to the habitat the animals live in, and also can cause food shortages. As the animals spread out further in their search for food, they interfere with land designated for agriculture, and become a nuisance to the farmer, and even to suburban dwellers. The wolf in its natural habitat has proven to be an essential part of keeping a balanced and healthy wildlife population.Plants in particular are of great value to man. Hundreds of medicines that we need, including penicillin, are derived from plant species. There could be cures for some of the world's most serious diseases in plant species we have not yet discovered or studied, but they are in danger of being wiped out before we get the chance. So you see, it is important for many reasons that we all work together to save endangered species - even if we don't know the reasons yet!How Can I Help?The situation for many species is indeed critical, but not hopeless. Every citizen has the responsibility to contribute to saving the planet's fragile resources if we are to survive! Here are some ideas for ways you can help save endangered species:* Find out what species in your state or country are endangered or threatened by writing to your state fish and game / natural resources department. Find out what is being done to conserve them.* Write to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for a list of federally protected endangered and threatened species.U.S. Fish & WildlifeEcological Services4401 N. Fairfax Dr.Arlington, VA 22203* Visit one of the more than 400 National Wildlife Refuges. Environmental education specialists can describe the resident wildlife, the refuge's needs and its management. Many refuges are now developing programs to encourage volunteer work. See if you can volunteer.* Join Keepers of the Wild and other organizations and support the fight to save endangered wildlife worldwide.* Learn all you can about endangered and threatened species and share your knowledge with your family and friends. Go to the library and read about the species that interest you.* Don't buy products made of ivory, tortoise shell, fur, or any other products made from endangered species.* Don't buy exotic or wild animals as pets. They are very difficult to keep, and the pet trade often endangers populations in their native habitats.* Have a car wash, bake sale, walkathon, or any other activity to help raise money for organizations that help endangered species.* Write letters to politicians, television programmers, newspaper editors and others to let them know of your concern for endangered species, and ask that they help promote public awareness of the issues facing our wildlife.* Find out what forms of environmental pollution are being allowed in your area and why. Write to your state and local officials and inform them of your concern.* Make drawings of the animals and plants that are threatened and endangered in your area. Present a show of the drawings, or bind them into a book for your school library.* Visit your local zoo and ask about breeding programs for endangered species. Be aware of the conditions of the zoo and if the animals are well treated.* Visit your local pet store and make lists of wild animals being sold. Find out if any of them are threatened or endangered, and if they were captured in the wild, or bred for the pet store.* Conserve energy by turning off lights, and using less air conditioning, heating and gasoline. Recycle paper, aluminum, plastic, and glass products. More and more companies are manufacturing products with recyclable materials and with recycled content. By using fewer resources, you help protect and preserve habitats and resources needed by animals and plants
Environment
Environmental IssuesIt is almost impossible to pick up a newspaper without seeing articles about animals losing their homes when people clear land for new buildings, oil spills polluting our water, landfills overflowing with garbage, and blackouts resulting from energy shortages. We hear about global warming, acid rain, and holes in the ozone layer. We are all interdependent. This means we need one another for survival. When we breathe, we exhale carbon dioxide, which is the gas plants need to live. Plants, in turn, give off oxygen which we need to breathe. Living things depend on one another in many ways.We are destroying forests by cutting down or burning the trees. Deforestation destroys the plants and trees that provide food and homes for many animals. It also affects the air that we breathe because trees produce much of our oxygen. Trees take carbon dioxide out of the air. This carbon dioxide traps heat near the earth, so temperatures all over the world become higher.Educating people about exotic and wild animals and generating an active awareness for preserving endangered wildlife and the environment is crucial to the survival of the Earth and her vanishing species. If we keep destroying our planet at the current rate, there will be no wildlife and natural habitats for future generations to enjoy. If we keep devastating this planet with our carelessness, ALL of our animals and plants will be no more than photographs in books.Many people think there is nothing they can do, but they are wrong....preservation and eco-awareness starts at a local level. Let's all follow the three R's of the environment.Reduce - Reuse - RecycleDid You Know?About 27 million acres of tropical rain forests disappear each year. That EVERY SECOND, we destroy enough rainforest to cover a football field. If we continue to destroy them at this rate, there may not be any rainforests left in our world 50 years from now.About 25% of the drugs prescribed by American doctors have ingredients that come from forest plants. About 70% of the plants used to treat cancer grows ONLY in rainforests. Quinine, a cure for Malaria, comes from the bark of a South American rainforest tree. Ipecac can help someone who has swallowed poison. It comes from the rain forest of Brazil.There are about 6,000 landfills in the United States. Landfills are enormous holes where people dump garbage. The Fresh Kills landfill in New York City was predicted to have to close by the year 2000 because it's mounds of garbage would be 500 feet high, about the height of the United Nations building. About 80% of garbage goes to landfills. We incinerate or burn another 10% of our garbage every day.In the last 30 years, people have destroyed more than 40% of the world's rainforest. Much of the wood used in the United States comes from the rain forests.
Animal Emotions
Do Animals Have Emotions?In a more personal experience, here at Keepers of the Wild, when Sheena the lion had a stroke and was having difficulty walking across her habitat to get to her food at feeding, her habitat-mate Elvis would walk beside her and bump her shoulder with his to keep her from stumbling sideways or falling. Now that's love......right? In fact, there are so many examples of animal emotional behavior that it is hard to believe otherwise. In a Kenyan elephant orphanage, baby elephants who have seen their parents slaughtered and their tusks removed from their bodies by poachers, wake up screaming in the night as they dream of the trauma.Evidence shows that animals may blush, wage war, exact revenge and experience beauty. They, too, have - forgive the pun - pet peeves. Giraffes, for instance seem to dislike cars. They have been known to kick and turn cars over when the vehicles would honk or flash their headlights at them.There are dozens of examples of animals takingpride in their performance at work.Ola, the whale, performed in an oceanarium and became deeply irritated by a booby bird which landed next to its tank at show time. Ola first stuck his head out of the water and glared at the bird, when it didn't move, he leaped out of the water with jaws agape. The booby just stared back. Clearly jealous at all the attention that bird was getting, Ola dove deep, took a mouthful of water and squirted it directly at the booby. The drenched bird staggered backward and finally took off as the audience burst into laughter.The life of a fox, which had a thorn in its paw, was saved by a dominant vixen in the group. The injured fox couldn't hunt, but the vixen brought him food until the injury healed. Its appreciation was in its body language as it rubbed and licked the food supplier.Toto, a captive chimpanzee, is credited with nursing its owner, Cherry Kearton, back to health from malaria. Kearton describes how the chimp brought quinine and a glass when asked, and even took Kearton's boots off when she slipped into a coma.Many biologists say they read and understand animal body language almost as though it were spoken. Animals, in turn use body language as communication. They also claim there is cruelty and war in the animal kingdom in battles over territory. Mongooses have been known to mutilate each other, as have hyenas. Rape was observed in orangutans, dolphins, seals, bighorn sheep, wild horses and some birds.There have also been many incidents of remarkable compassion, such as the case of a young rhino stuck in deep mud, hours later an adult elephant saw its plight and knelt to put its tusks under the calf and begun to lift the young rhino to its safety.Experts give startling glimpses of animals simply enjoying themselves. North Amercian Bison in Alaska like to ice skate, and bears slide along the snow banks with otters! For years officials were baffled by the gold leaf disappearing from the Kremlin's onion domes. It was finally attributed to crows who enjoyed sliding down the domes; their claws scratched the gold leaf."It looks like we have to make man understand he is only one member of an enormous family."For more than 100 years a great chasm has separated animal lovers - who know their pets have complex emotional lives - and scientists who declare that to attribute emotion to animals is no more than sentimental ignorance But the chasm is being bridged by mounting evidence that there is fear, jealousy, hope, anger and even compassion in the animal world.Now, for the first time, the many case histories that support this belief - backed by professional research - show that the mystical world of Dr. Doolittle may really exist and that we are simply unable to see it because we can't communicate with animals.
Fox Rehabilitation
Fox Rehabilitation Family of Foxes Brings Keepers of the Wild and School Children Together In the Summer of 1997, children at the Warren Walker Elementary School in Henderson discovered a family of kit foxes huddled in a drain hole near the school parking lot. Nearby construction had plowed over their den and destroyed their habitat. Left to fend for themselves in that environment their chances for survival would not be high.The children wanted to help. Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny, whose daughter attends the school and who has been a strong supporter of Keepers of the Wild, called Jonathan Kraft to see what could be done.We contacted the Nevada Department of Wildlife and worked with them to develop a plan of action. First we set humane traps and caught the whole family. Then we brought them to the sanctuary and checked them over for several weeks to ensure that the foxes were healthy and well-nourished. In the meantime, the Department of Wildlife searched for and found an ideal habitat to relocate the foxes - a site well When the day came for the fox family to move to their new location, the children from the Warren Walker School and Commissioner Erin Kenney were on hand to wish them well. CNN covered the event as did several local stations. This incident provided a valuable educational experience for the children. They saw first hand how animals pay a high price for development. But they also learned how people can help the animals. Relocating this fox family was just the beginning. Since that time Keepers of the Wild has successfully relocated about 30 foxes and now has a rehabilitation license from the state. With more than 4,000 people a month moving into the Las Vegas area, we expect our rehabilitation efforts will be increasing as new construction continues to destroy habitat.or the first time, the many case histories that support this belief - backed by professional research - show that the mystical world of Dr. Doolittle may really exist and that we are simply unable to see it because we can't communicate with animals.
Wolf Hybrids
About Wolf HybridsHybrids......NOT Just Another Dog!Do you want to own a wolf hybrid? Bad idea! You won't be getting a dog that looks like a wolf or a tame wolf. You will be getting an unpredictable wild animal. A wolf hybrid is the offspring of a wolf and a dog. However, a hybrid is neither a wolf or a dog - it is a different breed. Breeding is possible since wolves and dogs are closely related genetically. Any dog can be bred with a wolf.The growing interest and purchases of hybrids has led to increasing problems. numerous injuries and several deaths from hybrid attacks on people, mostly on young children, have occurred.While the family dog is a descendent of the wolf, the domestication process began over 12,000 to 15,000 years ago! Wolf hybrids cannot be domesticated over just a few generations, and claims of domesticated hybrids are false and dangerous. Domestication of hybrids will take tens of thousands of years to complete.Hybrids exhibit physical characteristics of both wolf and dog to varying degrees and in different combinations. This has lulled hybrid owners into believing they own "just another dog" instead of the wild animals they actually are. The misconception can have deadly consequences for both the hybrid and people! A hybrid is just that, it is a mix, it is neither pure wolf, nor pure dog. There in poses one problem facing hybrids. Although closely related, there are a number of anatomical and most importantly, behavioral differences between wolves and dogs.In comparison with dogs, wolves have slimmer torsos, narrower chests, longer legs, larger feet with toe webs, larger heads with longer muzzles, larger teeth, curved canines and stronger jaws. Wolves usually have yellow or amber colored eyes instead of the usual big brown eyes of dogs. Hybrids can exhibit the characteristic of any or all of either the wolf or dog. Because of this range of possible variations, no general description of the hybrid can be made. No one can just look at a hybrid and decide it's wolf to dog ratio.Most of the controversy surrounding hybrids concerns their behavior. Some people consider them highly aggressive, destructive, unpredictable, and untrustworthy. Others see them as gentle, playful, and loving animals. As pups, the hybrids are gentle, playful, and loving. This changes as they mature into adult animals which can become aggressive, destructive, and unpredictable, making placement of adult hybrids difficult. Shelters and even some hybrid rescue centers will often choose to euthanize the animals. Many never reach the age of three.Most people do not understand hybrid behavior. Hybrid attacks on humans are usually attributed to aggressiveness when actually they are the result of predatory behavior. Aggression is often confused with predatory behavior, but the two are distinctively different. Both dogs and wolves exhibit predatory behavior. This display is almost unnoticed in the domesticated dog who simply has to wait for his owner to feed him. However, for the wolf in the wild, survival depends on being able to make a kill. A wolf's predatory behavior is very pronounced. Potential prey give off signals about whether they will be easy to kill. Some are obvious, such as fleeing or signs of injury or age. Others are more subtle and go unnoticed by humans but are quickly recognized by the hybrids. Most attacks have been on small children, often the easiest prey for predators. Many occurred when the animals predatory instincts were triggered by some unwitting behavior of the child causing the animal to regard the child a prey.Another problem between hybrids and humans is the quest for dominance. Dogs consider humans to be the dominant leader, known as "alpha", whereas wolves and hybrids regard humans simply as another member of the pack and not at all alpha. In the wild, wolves challenge for the position of alpha and it is not uncommon for the same challenges to occur between hybrids and humans.Hybrids inherit the wolf's natural tendency for curiosity and destruction making them unsuitable as pets. They destroy furniture, carpets, trees, fences and other large objects which they consider "toys". They are very hard to housebreak and train. They are excellent diggers and jumpers, making confinement extremely difficult. The marketing ploy of selling hybrids as watchdogs has backfired since wolves normally fear and avoid humans.As with most exotic animals, people have very little knowledge abouthybrids before purchasing one and sellers often give no or erroneousinformation on the care and housing required by the animal. Mostowners quickly tire of the constant, life long challenge of owning anadult hybrid and are incapable or unwilling to commit to the cost ofan animal that will eat the new sofa or dig up the yard on a routinebasis. A hybrid is NOT "just another dog!!"If you can ensure that you are willing to make the life long commitment to provide for the care, cost, time and love needed to own an animal, then please adopt a dog instead. Too many domestic dogs are euthanized because there are not enough homes. If you really wish to support wild wolf populations, become active in wolf habitat preservation and education programs. Remember, Keepers of the Wild has a number of wolves and wolf hybrids living at the sanctuary you can sponsor. Helpbreak the cycle! The animals will thank you!
Exotic Ownership
Do You Really Want to Own an Exotic Animal?A large portion of exotic animal owners are forced to give their animals up for various reasons. Many cannot afford to feed the animals once they become adults. Veterinary care for an exotic is very expensive, so is housing, transportation and general maintenance. Once the realities of ownership, especially the tremendous responsibility sets in, the result is more often disastrous for the animal or animals. Many are released by their owners into the wild, as a result, they are either shot, killed by other animals or starve to death. Improper diets are also big killers of exotic pets. Before you make a decision to buy an exotic animal, remember, he will depend on YOU for his survival. You will not be able to live in an apartment or subdivision, you'll need big bucks, or lots of friends (a butcher, a vet, and a general contractor) who will be willing to provide you services for free or at a low cost. Those friends are far and few between. Be prepared to go it alone.Very few exotic animals are good around children. Even if you raise the two together, the wild animals instincts will soon take over. Our advice is...JUST SAY NO!Remember, wild animals can never be tamed, they are....FOREVER WILD!!If you still feel you want to own an exotic animal, please sponsor one. We offer you the chance to sponsor beautiful, wild creatures. This will have a mutually fulfilling impact on both the sponsor and the animal. Through this Sponsorship Program, we at Keepers of the Wild, offer you the ability to visit your sponsored animal(s) as often as you choose, and get closer to them (on a more personal level) than any Zoo you have ever visited.Your personal involvement as a "sponsor parent" will help provide the essential care required to keep "your" beautiful, wild creature in the very finest condition possible through the loving care of our seemingly tireless crew of dedicated volunteers. You can sponsor one or more of these beautiful, wild creatures, housed at Keepers of the Wild, as a birthday gift for your loved one, your child or as a perfect Christmas gift.Remember, an animal is for life, not just for Christmas.If the above feature did not provide you with enough information to make an educated choice, please....read Nala's Story
Eye of the Tiger
Through the Eyes of a Tiger"What a shame, a magnificent animallike that should not be caged.""I know, it should be returned to thejungle where it belongs."Hey! Hold it! Not so loud, somebody might hear you. I am quite happy here - thank you very much. Me - in the jungle - at my age? Can you imagine it? How would I survive? At 17 years of age I certainly would not be capable of hunting for my food. Perhaps you think other tigers would look after me and bring me dinner. Sorry! It doesn't work that way.I'm Samba!Now when I was much younger - it was different. I would laze the day away waiting for the heat of the sun to subside before going to look for food. Spotting a herd of deer, I would creep, under cover of bushes, to within 30 yards or so. Ah, I was good! I had a trick that I used, that gained me the reputation of being one of the best hunters in the area. While stalking, I would watch to find an animal that seemed to be injured or less fit than the other. When I felt I was as close as I could get, I would suddenly break cover and race for my target.Panic! The chase begins. I knew I had a few fleeting seconds to reach my quarry before it would be gone from my grasp. I was fast, but only over short distances and even though I was young and strong I was no match for the speed of the prey I relied on so badly. I was successful and seldom went hungry. But as time wore on and man began to cut down large parts of the jungle to turn it into farmland, the deer became scarce. I had to compete with man hunter for those that were left. Times became harder and I was getting older. Many times I went hungry. By the time I was captured by the man hunter, the fight and spirit of my youth was beginning to wane.Happy Tiger!Perhaps that young cub next door would fare better. But I doubt it! Things in the jungle are not the same as in my young days. I was talking to him the other day and telling him some of my stories. His eyes became excited and in them I saw myself when I was younger. For a moment, I too, yearned for the excitement, the thrill of the chase, the sense of exhilaration when the hunt was successful, the scents and noises of the jungle.But coming back to reality I realize that, for me, at least, my life would have been over many years ago. Now I receive fresh food and water daily - I never go without.I rest, and watch and listen to the man-cubs that come to visit me with their elders. The interest they show when told of the plight of my jungle-brothers makes me feel proud that I am, perhaps, in some way, still part of that wild place. My role now is to be part of the education of man. Over the past few years I have noticed the words ECOLOGY and CONSERVATION being used more and more. I like to think that my capture has helped the less fortunate tigers who still have a daily fight for survival. Hopefully, one day, things will be better for them as well. Perhaps my young neighbor will get his chance to experience what, after all, is his birthright.But for one, I feel I have been extremely lucky to have very different, but equally satisfying lives.With each passing day I am gaining in wisdom, and hope that I am passing this on to those around me - my keepers, who I have grown to love; and the interested young human-cubs. One day, after I am gone, my wisdom will help them all to live in harmony.In the meantime, I will continue to spend my remaining time on this Earth performing my duty in the important learning process that is so necessary to the survival of all species
Page 10
Nala's StoryNala was a Siberian/Eurasian Lynx who came to Keepers of the Wild sanctuary one July when she was 14 months old. By that time she had already endured more than a lifetime of pain and suffering. We got her from an individual who had bought her as a pet from a pet store. What happened to Nala graphically illustrates why wild animals should NOT be house pets. Lynxes are among the smaller wild cats, a little larger than bobcats. When Nala was a baby she was undoubtedly an adorable bundle of fur, as cute and cuddly as any domestic kitten. But, regardless of what she looked like, she was not going to grow up to be a gentle house cat... she was always a wild animal. Too often merchants who deal in exotic pets and the sales clerks they hire do not educate prospective customers about the proper care and feeding of exotic animals, nor do they warn customers that wild animals are unpredictable and potentially dangerous. We suspect that Nala's owner was assured by the pet store that she would cause no more problems than a tabby cat. Whatever information was offered, it did not dissuade Nala's owner from taking her home.As Nala grew bigger she began to act more like a wild animal and less like a playful kitten. She shredded the upholstery and left painful scratches on her owner's skin. Friends and family were becoming concerned, so her owner had her declawed. Now unable to defend herself with her claws, it was not long before Nala bit someone. This incident should have made her owner finally accept the fact that she needed to live elsewhere, and to start working on a proper placement. Instead, her owner decided to have her upper and lower canine teeth pulled. This decision had tragic consequences for Nala. Most veterinarians would refuse to defang an animal, but Nala's owner found one who would. During the surgery, a mistake was made. A nerve was damaged which caused Nala to permanently lose sight in her right eye.So by the time Nala came to Keepers of the Wild, she had no claws, no canine teeth, and was blind in one eye. ON TOP OF ALL THIS, the Keepers of the Wild Veterinarian examined her and found a growth on her left eye which was interfering with the vision in her one good eye! It is not possible to precisely determine what caused the growth, but it is consistent with her having been poked in the eye with a sharp object such as a pin or needle. The veterinarian evaluated her to determine the most appropriate treatment to save her sight.Despite all she has endured, Nala is a very sweet cat. She had become something of an embassador, and had accompanied our volunteers to school programs and other educational seminars. She was a "poster child" for why wild animals should not be pets. Having a wild animal as a pet causes problems for the owners, but it is the animal who suffers the most. Many exotic pets are simply euthanized when they become too difficult to handle. Nala had begun experiencing severe seizures. It was very scary for awhile, however they were brought under control with daily medication A really positive thing that came out of the seizures was that Nala's sight seemed to actually improve!This story is in loving memory of Nala, who passed away 09/07/2002.
ENDANGERED
ENVIRONMENT
Animal Emotions
Fox Rehabilitation
About Wolf Hybrids
EXOTICS AS PETS
HOME
Eye of the Tiger
Do You Really Want to OwnAn Exotic Animal? A large portion of exotic animal owners are forced to give their animals up for various reasons. Many cannot afford to feed the animals once they become adults. Veterinary care for an exotic is very expensive, so is housing, transportation and general maintenance. Once the realities of ownership, especially the tremendous responsibility sets in, the result is more often disastrous for the animal or animals. Many are released by their owners into the wild, as a result, they are either shot, killed by other animals or starve to death. Improper diets are also big killers of exotic pets. Before you make a decision to buy an exotic animal, remember, he will depend on YOU for his survival. You will not be able to live in an apartment or subdivision, you'll need big bucks, or lots of friends (a butcher, a vet, and a general contractor) who will be willing to provide you services for free or at a low cost. Those friends are far and few between. Be prepared to go it alone.Very few exotic animals are good around children. Even if you raise the twotogether, the wild animals instincts will soon take over. Our advice is...JUST SAY NO!Remember, wild animals can never be tamed, they are....FOREVER WILD!!If you still feel you want to own an exotic animal, please sponsor one. We offer you the chance to sponsor beautiful, wild creatures. This will have a mutually fulfilling impact on both the sponsor and the animal. Through this Sponsorship Program, we at Keepers of the Wild, offer you the ability to visit your sponsored animal(s) as often as you choose, and get closer to them (on a more personal level) than any Zoo you have ever visited.Your personal involvement as an "sponsor parent" will help provide the essential care required to keep "your" beautiful, wild creature in the very finest condition possible through the loving care of our seemingly tireless crew of dedicated volunteers. You can sponsor one or more of these beautiful, wild creatures, housed at Keepers of the Wild, as a birthday gift for your loved one, your child or as a perfect Christmas gift.Remember, an animal is for life, not just for Christmas.If the above feature did not provide you with enough information to make an educated choice, please....read Nala's Story.
Home
NEWS
Master Page 14
Donations
Park
Photos and Stories
Surgery Procedures
Media
VIDEO MASTER
Magazines and Articles
Animal Rescue
Letters of Support
NEWSLETTER
Ways to Help
Master Page 15
Payment Confirmation
Links
