Riverview Park & Zoo Riverview Park and Zoo

Three baby meerkats have been born and are now just starting to venture out of the nest.
 
A cougar caught in Grafton, Ontario by the MNR will be taking up residence at the zoo. I find the decision very odd. Riverview didn't look like it had the facilities capable of caring for such a large predator. Have they ever had anything that big and dangerous before? Wouldn't a special enclosure need to be constructed to hold it? Im a little surprised it didn't go to Toronto, Safari Niagara, Bowmanville or Jungle Cat World which at least have facilities for large cats. I can see them turning it down for a permanent home but they could have offered it more while a new home was found.

Grafton cougar expected to stay at Peterborough zoo
 
Oh I had no clue. Thanks for that info. Considering it was likely an exotic pet and therefore not a good release candidate, it will need a good home.
 
More info on the cougar and his or her possible origins. Scary to think someone who has a wild animal like that wouldn't report it missing the moment they noticed it wasn't in its cage. I hope if they can prove where it came from they nail the owner and save any other animals in that persons "care."

Cougar captured | Northumberland Today
 
Where was it kept? I was there last spring and didnt see it or an enclosure for it. Granted I had less than an hour and 6 annoying preteens with me who stupidly thought the train would be fun for kids their age.
 
Wow how on earth did I miss that? Im going to blame the kids. I saw the servals. Well saw is a strong word. Kind of made out the shadow of a serval is more apt. It was hiding pretty good.
 
The zoo has given an update on guest cougar, Charlie. He is adjusting well though he doesnt like horse meat very much. He is in excellent health and is between 3-7 years old. They are almost certain he is a captive born cougar based on health and behaviour. The MNR is still investigating and hasnt made a decision about his future.

On a side note in the article they mentioned that before Charlie's arrival they were considering another endangered cat for the old cougar exhibit. No mention of what though. The plans are on hold while they wait to find out what will happen with Charlie.

Captured cougar in Peterborough zoo a picky eater | Toronto Star
 
TZFan said:
The zoo has given an update on guest cougar, Charlie. He is adjusting well though he doesnt like horse meat very much. He is in excellent health and is between 3-7 years old. They are almost certain he is a captive born cougar based on health and behaviour. The MNR is still investigating and hasnt made a decision about his future.

On a side note in the article they mentioned that before Charlie's arrival they were considering another endangered cat for the old cougar exhibit. No mention of what though. The plans are on hold while they wait to find out what will happen with Charlie.

Captured cougar in Peterborough zoo a picky eater | Toronto Star
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I am really guessing here but given location and how it will add to the current stock / collection, I would settle for snow leopard.

Cougar are generally not considered endangered, although in 2011 the eastern cougar was declared extinct by the USFWS ...
 
TZFan said:
Cougars are considered endangered in Ontario.
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TZFan, I made a reservation (see above).

Dunno, I still assume they meant another endangered felid species, hence me proposing snow leopard. The latter also for it would fit in with some of their newer exhibits (takin from Saint Louis).
 
You're not from Ontario, Kifaru Bwana, so I didnt think you would know what species are regionally endangered. It's no big deal. Making a fix wasnt necessary.

I do know what endangered feline they would be able to get. I could see them being able to get lions, they are a dime a dozen, especially with Bowmanville having 4 male cubs. Jaguars are a possibility, there are lots. Generic tigers could be possible as they try to free up space for breeding stock. I would think they would have a harder time getting their hands on Amur, Sumatran or Malayan Tigers, cheetahs or Snow Leopards because they are so in demand by AZA zoos. Amur Leopards would be impossible. Although many of the species would be possible if they were post reproductive or surplus. Now I assumed they were going for another large feline.

Not that any of that matters right now because things are on hold until a decision is made about Charlie.
 
Courgar, Charlie, will be out of quarantine next week and likely be put on display in the old cougar exhibit. A decision will be made about his future in the next two weeks or so after a routine CAZA inspection to stay accredited. The inspection has nothing to do with him, its just what the zoo itself is focused on right now. When they arent dealing with that they can sit down and decide with the MNR whats in Charlie's best interest.

There is still no word on where Charlie came from. No one has reported him missing, which is mandatory if you keep exotics like cougars. But I dont find that surprising. Whoever had him likely wont admit to it because they shouldnt have had him in the first place.

http://www.mykawartha.com/news-story/4726622-grafton-cougar-in-excellent-condition-peterborough-zoo/
 
Cougar, Charlie, will likely be heading to a new home at another zoo. The zoo will keep him if necessary but they have other plans for the exhibit and they have been working towards it for years, just waiting for the old cougars to pass.
 
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