Exotic cats come out to play

Conservationists from the savannas of Africa and the rainforests
of Brazil struggled with a technological glitch in the Ackerman
Grand Ballroom during a conservation exhibition Saturday, proving
they’re more comfortable with wildcats than with computer
projectors.

After fiddling with the equipment, presenters hailing from
various cat conservation societies casually talked about the
necessity of predator conservation. Meanwhile, wildcats lounged in
the back of the ballroom.

The event, “Wildcat Conservation Learning
Experience,” brought humans and wild animals within close
quarters and aimed to educate the general public about the value of
conservation.

“The main message here is that when cats do well,
everything else does well. And if we can solve the problems between
man and cat, we can save the cats,” said Dale Anderson,
founder of the Sierra Endangered Cat Haven.

Throughout the event, members of the audience were encouraged to
walk up to the wild animals. They then fawned over a 2-year-old
Eurasian Lynx present at the event and were taken aback by the
rowdy African Serval.

The informal showcase allowed audience members to get up close
and personal with Boomer ““ the lynx from a Salem, Ore.
sanctuary ““ as he affectionately butted heads with his
trainer.

The cats not only provided entertainment, but also a jumping-off
point for talk of cat conservation. Questions came from the
audience of about 50 as to the nature, behavior and lifestyle of
the wild animals.

Many different aspects about the lives of these wildcats were
explained by the presenters.

Anderson explained the finer art of catching jaguars, and made
sure to note that it is easier to catch a jaguar who’s up in
a tree than one down on the ground. Afterwards, he talked about the
different information biologists gain from the studying the
jaguars.

Vanessa Bouwer, assistant director of De Wildt Cheetah and
Wildlife Trust, flew in from a reserve in South Africa to answer
questions and inspire people to help conserve wild animals.

Bouwer’s experience with cheetah conservation in Africa,
which she shared with those present, highlighted the problems that
are faced in wild cat preservation.

In South Africa, cheetahs often come into conflict with farmers.
As a result of this ever-increasing tension, there are fewer than
1,000 cheetahs left in the country, Bouwer said.

Bouwer explained that many South African farmers have begun to
stock their farms with antelope for tourist and hunting purposes.
And for the cheetahs these farms are practically heaven, Bouwer
said.

When the cheetahs naturally encroach on the farms to feed, the
farmers shoot them.

“The farmers don’t think about the ecosystem, they
just see the cheetahs eating their dollars,” Bouwer
added.

This situation has precipitated into a gruesome conflict, Bouwer
said, where cheetahs are being consistently mutilated by many
farmers.

On the other side of the world, Brazil faces the same type of
problems, said Ronaldo Morato, a veterinarian with the non-profit
conservation group Pro-Carnivoros.

“The Brazilian farmers have a problem with their sheep and
goats because the jaguars will come in and kill 26 of their
livestock,” Morato said.

The answer to this dilemma, Bouwer said, is twofold and requires
solutions that target both the farmers and their children.

“The short-term is telling the farmers, “˜Don’t
shoot,’ and the long-term is education of the younger
generations,” Bouwer said.

Bouwer and others now compensate the farmers by telling them
they will pay them 10,000 rand (South African currency) for every
cheetah they catch. These unharmed cheetahs are transported to a
reserve on South Africa’s eastern side, she explained.

“The farmers are now saying, “˜Hey, this
works,’ … We’re moving the cheetahs from tortured to
treasured,” Bouwer added.

In addition, the South African government has endorsed the
conservation De Wildt has undertaken.

“It’s been 10 years since we’ve had democracy
in South Africa and it’s a country that’s healing.
Issues such as healthcare and housing are obviously high on the
government’s list. Cheetah’s aren’t high on that
list, and we don’t get money, but (the government) does
endorse us,” Bouwer said.

The second part of many conservationists’ work involves
educating youth about the importance of preserving ecosystems.

The organizations often go to rural schools and talk to
farmers’ children about the need to conserve water and
recycle.

“We then bring in ambassadors ““ such as Byron our
cheetah ““ and you could hear a pin drop. The children listen
to the cheetah purr and then they get excited,” Bouwer
said.

Morato said his organization also produces youth education
programs where they pass out children books explaining the need to
protect jaguars. The conservationists’ efforts have lead to
many victories on behalf of the wild cats.

“We’ve seen fantastic results, and we’ve saved
about 82 cheetahs,” Bouwer said.

But, the battle is far from over, conservationists say, and the
continued need for educational programs, such as the one held in
Ackerman, is paramount.

“We need to spread the message of “˜Let’s save
this planet,’ and it needs to start in homes and in
communities,” Bouwer said.