A Smelly Secretion Is the Latest Tool to Help Save Tigers From Extinction

‘Tiger spray’ DNA could be a potent resource in conserving the big cats, researchers say.

 

Sumatran tiger cub triplets at the London Zoo on Feb. 4. (Photo: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters)

Jun 25, 2015

By Katharine Gammon

 

Conservation scientists have a new tool in the battle to save tigers. They have found a way to track the animals via their scent spray, which is—no kidding—a citrus-scented mix of urine and anal gland secretions that tigers use to mark their territory and tell other cats when they’re in the mood for love.

Scientists typically use scat to trace tigers. But tiger spray is two to eight times more frequently found than scat, generally as an oily sheen on certain bushes about five feet above the ground. In the new research, published in the June issue of the journal Conservation Genetics Resources, scientists showed that the DNA in tiger spray was better for tracking and identifying individual cats than the genetic material in scat, which breaks down in humid climates.

So, Why Should You Care? Just 3,200 tigers are left in the wild, living in less than 7 percent of their historical range, according to tiger conservation groups—and their populations are dwindling rapidly. This new tracking technique may increase what we know about wild tigers and help to save the species.

“Being able to survey them without seeing them is really important,” said Anthony Caragiulo, a research scientist at the American Museum of Natural History and coauthor of the new study. “Tigers are super hard to see, and you don’t want to have to handle them.”

Researchers first tested their technique on captive tigers in Ontario, Canada, by swabbing scent sprays that the animals left on bushes. When each spray was analyzed, the researchers were able to determine which individual animal left it—with the same accuracy as with scat or better.
They were also able to do a gender breakdown and genetic analysis on the DNA in the spray, revealing important information about the tiger’s health and survival capacity. “We can get baseline data on a minimum number of individuals as well as how genetically diverse they are,” said Caragiulo. “If you don’t have diversity, you don’t have the toolbox to adapt to a changing environment.”

The next step, he said, will be to test the technique in Sumatra among wild tigers.
While this is the first time tiger scent sprays have been used for genetic analysis, other research projects have used wolf and wolverine urine for conservation work, suggesting it could aid in tiger conservation as well.

Caragiulo believes scent sprays may also help with study and conservation of other large cats.
There’s another reason tiger spray may be useful to researchers, and it has to do with the legal restrictions surrounding endangered species. Tiger blood and hair are highly protected, making it difficult to obtain needed permissions to ship them to labs for analysis.

Scat and scent spray, on the other hand, don’t require import-export permits. 

Click the link below to save tigers!

source: TakePart 

Face of Siberian tiger features on nose of Jumbo Jet

By The Siberian Times reporter

25 June 2015

 

Airline unveils colourful new livery to help raise awareness of big cat's uncertain future.

Russian carrier Transaero has unveiled a special new livery featuring the face of the big cat on one of its long-haul Boeing 747-400 planes. Picture: Transaero

The Siberian tiger has taken pride of place on the nose of a Jumbo Jet as part of a stunning design to help raise awareness of the animal’s plight. Russian carrier Transaero has unveiled a special new livery featuring the face of the big cat on one of its long-haul Boeing 747-400 planes.

The aircraft, registration EI-XLN, has been painted to promote the conservation work of the Amur Tiger Centre, which has branches in Moscow and Vladivostok and helps to protect the endangered species.

Transaero says that the 447-seat plane, which will take passengers in the next few days, will also have sections of the interior cabin designed in a tiger theme with orange colouring. Unveiling the jet at Moscow Vnukovo, Olga Pleshakova, the airline’s chief executive said it is hoped that the design will help awareness of the Amur tiger worldwide.

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The aircraft, registration EI-XLN, has been painted to promote the conservation work of the Amur Tiger Centre, which has branches in Moscow and Vladivostok and helps to protect the endangered species. Pictures: Transaero

She said: 'Careful conservation of wildlife is a task to which no-one should remain indifferent.'
Earlier Ms Pleshakova had posted pictures of the aircraft on her Instagram account showing the stages of the work.

She wrote: 'The process of airbrushing, the result of which we have all seen on the airfield, lasted for five days. The process involved experts who have been in the artistic painting of airplanes and cars for about 30 years, but none of them had done such a large paint job before.

'The artists used a special radio transparent paint, because the locator is in the bow. In addition, the paint is aerodynamic so it is with full confidence that we can call our 'Tiger flight' a unique aircraft.'
More commonly known as the Siberian tiger, the Amur tiger is listed as an endangered species. Five years ago Russia launched a national strategy to protect the animal, which is the largest of the five tiger species.

'The process involved experts who have been in the artistic painting of airplanes and cars for about 30 years, but none of them had done such a large paint job before.' Picture: Olga Pleshakova

The number of them living in the Russian Far East is on the rise, the first large-scale census in 10 years discovered earlier this year. Carried out by animal charity WWF, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Amur Tiger organisation, the research found about 540 of the big cats in the region.

Transaero say that they aim to put the Boeing 747 on its most popular routes both in Russia and abroad to maximise exposure about the plight of the tiger.

There are plans for passengers on board to also be able to watch documentaries about the animal during their flight.

 

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Your Daily #Cat

 

Sitting wild cat by Tambako The Jaguar

Your Daily #Cats

 

Wildcat standing by Tambako The Jaguar

 

Wildcat drinking by Tambako The Jaguar

Stairs help big cats sunbathe at sanctuary

Jade Bolack

	(click for larger version)

June 23, 2015 

 

SHARON — Like domestic house cats, the big cats at the Valley of the Kings animal sanctuary like to sunbathe.

They like to lay on the roofs of their houses and nap in the sun. Unfortunately, many of the lions and tigers at the animal sanctuary on Town Hall Road east of County Highway K in Sharon aren't able to get to the roofs anymore.

Their ages limit their mobility.

Jill Murphy, chairman of the Lowes Voice Team in Delavan, decided to help out big cats at Valley of the Kings.

The Voice Team is the charitable arm of the retail store, and Murphy said it's focus is to help in the community.

"It hasn't been very active in the past," Murphy said.

Since becoming chairman, Murphy said she wanted to reorganize the group and get it working.

Geneva Lake Wes Recent Jade Bolack

"The Valley of the Kings owners (Jim Tomasi and Jill Carnegie) are in the store all the time," she said. "So I reached out to them. I just asked what they needed."

Tomasi and Carnegie said their big cats needed stairs.

"Lowes gives us a budget every year for these projects," Murphy said. "We decided we could make the stairs for the big cats."

Murphy said she hadn't been to the animal sanctuary prior to working with the owners for the big cat stairways. She's visited in the last few weeks.

"It's very exciting," she said. "Unlike in a zoo, when the animals are in a pit, behind a fence with a deep trench around it, at the Valley of the Kings, they're right there. You can even put your hand up to the fence and they push their noses into your hand."

Murphy and her co-workers built nine sets of stairs for the big cats. They were installed earlier this week.

"We are so excited to be able to see (all the cats) use the stairs," she said. "I hope they use them. I hope it helps."

Big cat history

Many of the big cats at the sanctuary were rescued from circuses and zoos.

Some came from prior owners who thought wild animals would behave like pets.

Those cats who lived in domestic situations often have special needs.

Owners Tomasi and Carnegie, met through their mutual love of animals more than 40 years ago.

Tomasi said he volunteered for Carnegie's mission to breed cougars for release in the wild.

Since then, Tomasi and Carnegie married and quit breeding animals.

They found a passion for giving exotic animals a safe home.

They married and opened Valley of the Kings.

Now, they own the house at the entrance of the sanctuary.

The animals are fed roadkill from Walworth and neighboring counties, and some dry pet food is donated. One deer will last one cat a day.

Volunteers come out to help clean animal pens. The sanctuary isn't open to the public, but those who would like to help can become members and then volunteer with the animals.

Besides big cats, the sanctuary houses wolves, bears, donkeys, horses and camels.

 

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One of the world’s rarest big cats could return to Scotland

• 24 June 2015
• By Scotland Now

THE Lynx UK Trust are to apply to Scottish Natural Heritage for licences to bring six Eurasian lynx to private unfenced estates in Aberdeenshire.

Flickr/Mike Seamons

The Lynx could be reintroduced to Scotland

ONE of the world’s rarest big cats could return to Scotland.
The Lynx UK Trust are to apply to Scottish Natural Heritage for licences to bring six Eurasian lynx to private unfenced estates in Aberdeenshire.
Their movements will be monitored but farmers fear the lynx would kill sheep.

Last month a survey of 9000 people, carried out with support from the University of Cumbria, found that 91 per cent backed a trial reintroduction of the animal.
Andrew Clark, the National Farmers Union’s director of policy, said: “The NFU would be concerned at the re-introduction of lynx due to the cost involved and high risk
of failure. Budgets are better focussed on developing existing biodiversity.”

The move comes as the slightly smaller Iberian lynx has been saved from extinction after being reintroduced in Spain and Portugal.
There were 100,000 of the animals at the beginning of the 20th Century, but just 52 mature individuals in 2002. By 2012 there were 156 of the cats, which are bred in captivity and released in a £24million programme partly funded by the European Union.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature yesterday downgraded the Iberian lynx from the “critically endangered” to the “endangered” category on the red list of threatened species.
Paul O’Donoghue, chief scientific adviser of the Lynx UK Trust, said the success of the Iberian lynx project showed that the animals were “perfectly able to co-exist with humans in modern Europe”.
He added: “There is no threat to humans and they have attracted huge amounts of tourism, something we are looking to emulate.”

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Catios!

June 23, 2015

Catios provide the perfect spot for a fix of the great outdoors

All Animals magazine, July/August 2015

by Catherine Hess

Serena, catio designer Cynthia Chomos' cat, has two catios—this large one and a smaller window box. Photo by Ron Wurzer/AP Images for The HSUS

Every now and then, on nice days, Krista Rakovan would let her cats onto the back deck for some supervised sunbathing. She watched how much Julius, Ginger and Kobe loved lying in the sun—the only time they were permitted outside—and she thought about how she could add more variety to their lives.

“I wanted to give my cats the outdoor experience,” says the HSUS web specialist. But she had some concerns: “not only keeping them safe, but keeping them off my neighbor’s property and keeping the wildlife safe.”

So Rakovan’s father built a catio—a patio or screened-in porch intended for cats—onto a corner of the house. She wanted the catio for enrichment, but the time outdoors also has reduced conflict between Kobe, who can be a bully, and the other cats. (Rakovan places a small collapsible mesh cat tent on the deck to let Julius and Ginger enjoy the fresh air without running into Kobe.)

Many types of cats can benefit from an outdoor enclosure, including “door dashers, escape artists, alley cat adventurers, fighting tomcats, serial bird killers [and] wishful window watchers,” says Seattle catio designer Cynthia Chomos. And, of course, devout sun worshippers like her 2-year-old orange tabby, Serena.

Using her experience as a general contractor and her background in feng shui and color design, Chomos built two enclosures: a small window box where Serena spends her afternoons and a large catio for them to enjoy together. “I wanted to keep her safe, healthy and happy, and really provide her with an enriching outdoor experience,” says Chomos, who was sitting in that space with Serena one day when she decided to turn her ideas into a business called Catio Spaces.

Some people picture an unsightly wire cage attached to their house, Chomos says, but the trend’s rapid growth in the past few years has yielded more and more options according to design preferences, budget and skill.

Rakovan’s father is a handyman, so with other family members pitching in, they completed her roomy enclosure in a weekend. Creating happiness for indoor cats can be as simple as that pop-up kitty tent or a window box, or it can be as elaborate as a room with a floor, a roof and furniture for people and pets. Prices can vary quite a bit, but there’s likely something within just about everyone’s range—and a fit for most homes, be it a large house or small apartment.

Before You Get Started

With so many choices and things to consider, finding the right catio can be overwhelming. Ask yourself these questions before you begin.

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  Matt Renouard shares his Seahawks-themed space with his "game day lap cats." Photo by Catio Spaces

What do you want from a catio? Do you want to enrich the lives of your indoor cats? Create a haven for feral or “personality challenged” cats who don’t get along with other feline family members? Provide a fresh-air extension of your living space for both people and cats?
What is your budget? Prices can range from under $100 to thousands of dollars. The more you spend, in general, the more comfortable and larger the structure will be. Kits tend to be more expensive, but buying a kit may be a good option if you lack carpentry skills.
What can your home accommodate? Do you want something directly accessible from the house, through a window or a door? Or something freestanding? How much yard space can you devote to the catio?

Quick Tips

• Before building your catio, get permission if needed—preferably in writing. If you are a renter, check with your landlord or management company. In some cases, you’ll need a permit from your city or homeowners association. Another good step: Make sure everyone in your home is on board with the idea.
• Cats are great climbers—and sometimes even wily diggers—so make your catio escape-proof. There should be no openings he could squeeze through, even on the top. Also avoid anything that he could catch his collar on or get stuck in.
• As much as you want to keep your cat in her catio, remember that you also want to keep other animals out. So ensure that your catio frame is strong and all components are firmly attached. If there are coyotes, bears or other large predators in your area, a catio may not be right for you, unless it’s extremely sturdy.
• Pick a quiet time to finally introduce your cat to his new catio. Give him time to explore at his own pace. Catnip sprinkled on pet furniture, or treats scattered here and there, will help your cat realize that this new space is all his.

Dan and Julie Reeder designed their spacious catio to include tunnels and ramps. Photo by Ron Wurzer/AP Images for The HSUS

Check It Twice

Follow our checklist to create the purrfect outdoor space for you and your cat.

• Materials: Choose a plan that uses wood, metal or other sturdy, nontoxic materials.
• Floor: Decide whether you want to build directly on grass, sand or dirt (which some cats might be tempted to use as a litter box) or construct a floor.
• Roof: Make sure the roof is strong enough to handle any snowfall you might get in your area.
• Perches: A catio is a great place to put a cat tree; some feature shelves or other scratching or climbing structures. You can also install a cat hammock, cat wheel or other fun pet furniture that you may not have room for indoors.
• Water: Include a bowl of fresh water (especially important on warm days).
• Litter box: Provide a litter box, or easy access to the inside of your house, to avoid unfortunate messes.
• Room for you: If you’d like to spend time in the catio, too, make sure there’s a human-sized door and space for a chair, side table, lamp—whatever you want for your own comfort.
• Protection from the elements. Your kitty will need ventilation in warm weather and a cozy place to retreat from the cold, rain and sun.
• Supervision: Always supervise your cat in the catio. Build it where you can see it from your home, and consider adding lights if your cat will have nighttime access.

Easy (So Simple, Your Cat Could Do It!)

If you have limited time or minimal carpentry tools and skills, you still have plenty of options for building a catio. Keep costs down by repurposing other materials with some online DIY inspiration, or go the kit route if you’re willing to pay more for convenience and craft.

Cat and Caboodle

Cost: Varies; starting at about $40
Comprising wire storage cubes and cable ties, this enclosure can be configured in almost any shape or size, freestanding or attached to a house. You can build it on your own, and it’s easy to relocate.

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  Catio designer Cynthia Chomos built this catio that's large enough for humans to enjoy, too. Photo by Ron Wurzer/AP Images for The HSUS

Shelving Enclosure

Cost: Varies; can start at under $300
Marva Marrow shares instructions for building catios of various sizes from zip ties and carpet-covered ventilated shelving. It took Marrow less than two hours to build hers.

Dog Kennel “Dream Catio”

Cost: Varies; initial cost estimated at $360, plus bird netting
Catster.com author Marci Kladnik used dog kennel panels and bird netting to build a structure that encloses a patio and wraps around the house. She added used items such as a playhouse for accessories. There are no precise instructions, so you’ll need a little imagination.

Safe Kitty

Cost: $539
This 36-foot-square, three-sided kit uses Maine white cedar and wire mesh, and it can enclose a window. You need only a wrench and screwdriver for assembly.

Purrfect Penthouse

Cost: $1,095
This enclosure from Purr...fect Fence is 7½ feet wide, 15 feet long and 6 feet tall. It features lots of space for cat trees and litter boxes, and it can be either freestanding or attached to a house.

CatsOnDeck

Cost: $595-$3,850
Consisting of panels that can be snapped together, these kits range from a simple “budget” version to a two-tower, five-level “Kitty Kastle.” Accessories include lofts, litter box modules, pet door attachments and shelves.

Cages By Design

Cost: $1,250-$4,740
These pricey but handsome kits come in a range of sizes; you can also purchase cat trees, shelves, catwalks and window connector kits as add-ons. The kits should be installed on concrete pavers or slabs or wood decks.

Intermediate (May Require a Few Extra Paws)

If you have more tools, a little bit of construction experience and a spare weekend, these companies offer blueprints for catios of various configurations and sizes. You will need to purchase the materials separately and rent or borrow a truck (if you don’t have one) to haul them.

Just4Cats

Cost: $24 for the plan; material prices will vary
This plan details instructions for assembling 8-foot-square wood-frame modules attached to chicken wire. Instructions are included for mounting tree stumps and adding tunnels.

Catio Designs

Cost: $49.95 for the plan; roughly $65-$325 for materials, depending on size
These plans provide a range of designs from a small window unit to a 16-by-16-foot freestanding structure. Steps include purchasing materials such as lumber and chicken wire and digging postholes.

Serena, the inspiration for Cynthia Chomos' Catio Spaces business, enjoys afternoons in her window box. Photo by Ron Wurzer/AP Images for The HSUS

Catio Spaces

Cost: $49.99 for the plan and roughly $500 for materials for an 8-by-10-by-8-foot plan
This Seattle-based company offers plans for freestanding enclosures and three-sided catios that can attach to your house. It also sells window box kits (pictured above) and will install ground-level catios for Seattle-area clients. Catio Spaces donates $5 to an animal welfare organization for each plan purchased.

Advanced (Get Your Tools Ready!)

If you are creative and comfortable with tools, you are limited only by your choice of materials and the room you have. You could buy a plan to follow or create one on your own.

• 
  Dan and Julie Reeder's freestanding catio. Photo by Ron Wurzer/AP Images for The HSUS

With some elbow grease, Jennifer Hillman built a catio for her five cats at her Seattle home. After some brainstorming, she and her sister installed a cat door into a side window, laid a patio with bricks and pavers, sunk fence posts, enclosed the top and sides with chicken wire and created a wire tunnel. They later added a ledge and a small staircase, and eventually built a second catio—replacing an old shed with a freestanding enclosure large enough for Hillman to enjoy, too. There’s even a fountain outside the space that attracts birds to enhance the kitties’ outdoor experience.
A catio is a great way to protect birds and wildlife—and be a good neighbor—while providing cats with the sunshine, fresh air, sights, sounds and stimulation that they love, says Hillman, HSUS senior director of strategic advocacy and campaigns, who helped launch Catio Tour Seattle to inform and inspire residents. “And, it can be a great little addition to any garden or yard space, giving it a unique look.”

More Catios

• Check out our catio board on Pinterest »

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Amur tiger released in Russia 2015 (video)

Published on Jun 19, 2015

A three year old Amur tiger has been successfully captured, collared and released into a mountainous region in the Russian Far East. The young male was identified as a ‘conflict tiger’ in a prey depleted area but rather than confining him to a life of captivity, the Russian government opted to give him a second chance. - See more at: http://tigers.panda.org/russia/amur-t...

Jurassic World? Scratch that... it's Purrassic Park

by Hedy Phillips  

6/23/15 

 

What do you get when you cross box-office hit Jurassic World with a bunch of furry felines? Purassic World, of course! Tumblr user khanandkittens has been photoshopping kittens into Jurassic Park photos for ages, and a new batch of photos was rolled out with the new movie last week. Scroll through the gallery to see Chris Pratt with all the kitties, and make sure to check out khanandkittens' original Jurassic Park gallery.

Image Source: Tumblr user khanandkittens

Image Source: Tumblr user khanandkittens

Image Source: Tumblr user khanandkittens

Image Source: Tumblr user khanandkittens

Image Source: Tumblr user khanandkittens

Image Source: Tumblr user khanandkittens

Image Source: Tumblr user khanandkittens

Image Source: Tumblr user khanandkittens

Image Source: Tumblr user khanandkittens

Image Source: Tumblr user khanandkittens

 

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Brave house cat faces off with mountain lion (video)

Courageous house cat stands its ground when faced with wild animal trying to get into the house

A house cat stands up to a moutain lion in Boulder, USA Photo: Tom Mabe

Our foreign staff

24 Jun 2015

A brave pet cat has shown it has no fear while facing off with a mountain lion that was trying to get into its Kentucky home. The cat did not flinch as the wild animal pawed at the sliding door attempting to open it. The footage was captured by Tom Mabe, the cat's owner, and posted on YouTube.

_{The two cats sized each other up from either side of the glass door}
 

Mr Mabe is a comedian who runs a prank channel called MabeinAmerica. During the video Mr Mabe watches on amazed as the two felines stared each other down. At one point in the video the mountain lion bares its teeth at the house cat, but the pet stands its ground.

_{The lion pawed at the door trying to open it}
 
Whispering, Mr Mabe calls his wife Melanie over to see the two cats, and her immediate reaction is: "Oh my God." The encounter, which took place in the town of Louisville, ended when Mrs Mabe asks her husband where the children are and he jokes "Out the back". Her horrified scream frightens off the big cat before he could reassure her that they were really in bed.

_{Eventually the lion wanders away}
 
The lion then loped away into the forest that surrounds the house

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#Cats caught red-pawed stealing (23 Photos)

BY MAC | Jun 23, 2015

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