Dr. Lamar Hunter has just joined the Carolina Tiger Rescue team as a wildlife veterinarian. After he graduated from NC State’s vet school, Dr. Hunter studied under Dr. Angela Lassiter at Carolina Tiger Rescue. He helps with physicals, medical procedures, and loves seeing the animals improve under the care of the awesome vets at the rescue. Dr. Hunter enjoys working with all the animals at Carolina Tiger Rescue, but his favorite is the lions.
Dr. Hunter’s Blog 1/5/2021
Carolina Tiger Rescue is home to 8 species of cats and 2 species that are members of the raccoon family, the kinkajou and coatimundi. These animals look very different but have a couple things in common. Like their cousin, the raccoon, they are omnivores but belong to the carnivore family, due to the teeth they possess, the carnassial teeth. Another thing that these two species have in common, is that in the winter they require special housing. Both species are native to warmer climates and have a harder time regulating their body temperature in colder weather. To ensure their safety, they are moved into winter housing when the weather gets cold, until the warm days of spring and summer return.
Kinkajous, unfortunately, are big in the pet trade. Most people think since they are small and cute, that they aren’t dangerous. Kinkajous however, are extremely dangerous and aggressive. Wednesday, pictured above, was formally a pet, and her former owners had her declawed to prevent injuries when she was being handled. This, of course, did not make Wednesday safer and her owner quickly found a new home for her. Wednesday is our oldest animal in the sanctuary, she was born in 1988. Due to being declawed, Wednesday suffers from painful arthritis in her fingers and toes. We are able to give her medicine to help take the pain away, but that is something she will live with forever. It is important to remember, these are wild animals and are not pets. It is not safe for them or for the humans who are trying to care for them. We are thankful Wednesday found her forever home with Carolina Tiger Rescue and that we can give her the appropriate home she needs and deserves.