jopif
Well-Known Member
Can someone give a rough summary what cats have been phased out or are expected to be phased out?
If you're referring to potential EAZA phase-outs, I couldn't say for sure without risking inaccuracy. I’ve heard, for instance, that cougars might eventually be subject to a phase-out, but nothing official.
As for Lumigny, several feline species have already been transferred: the Canada lynxes (Lynx canadensis) and Indochinese leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis bengalensis) are gone, as are the golden tigers which are not a recognized subspecies. The park’s white tigers are elderly and no longer part of a breeding program; once they pass, they won’t be replaced and will effectively disappear from the collection for the same reason.
Regarding subspecies of lions, tigers and leopards, these are expected to remain. But for the rarer felines, like oncillas, golden cats, Sri Lankan rusty-spotted cats, or some lynx subspecies, it’s likely they’ll gradually leave the collection naturally. Maybe in some cases, reproductions or exchanges could happen.