AnnieatIcon
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Does anyone know if Jaguars have ever been owned as pets in the UK or if any private zoo has owned a jaguar. I work for a wildlife film making company and we are interested to know the history of jaguars in the UK.
Jaguars in private collections
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Cian bennett
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My friend said that when he was in london he went into a fancy pet shop, he was asking the owner/worker what animals could he buy in and he said anything from reticulated pythons to jaguars and he also said he sold a jaguar before
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
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Are you thinking of Gordon Mills, manager to Tom Jones & Engelbert Humperdink? He had a private zoo in Surrey (I think), "Little Rhonda". I know he kept Gorillas, Orangs and Tigers.
Whilst I can't remember hearing of him keeping Jaguar it's entirely possible he did, though I think it's a little unlikely given Jaguars have never been that common in the UK.
After research (checking out a copy of Clinton Keeling's Where The Elephant Walked) I can confirm that Jaguars were kept at Little Rhonda some time during it's existence.
Yes, "Little Rhonda" was situated at St.Georges Hills private estate near Weybridge. Gordon Mills kept at least two Jaguars, the two I know of were "Jason and Josephine" both went on to Kilverstone, "Jason" was kept by another private keeper on a boat at Walton-on-thames before going to Gordon Mills place. I believe "Josephine" was an ex-circus animal.