Jan. 17, 2019
Contact:Michelle Meyers | 919.524.4684 ext. 3019 | michellemeyers@carolinatigerrescue.org
Carolina Tiger Rescue receives orphaned cougar cub
Washington cougar makes coast-to-coast trip to new home
Pittsboro, N.C. — Carolina Tiger Rescue’s latest rescue is underway. The wild cat sanctuary in Pittsboro will gain a new resident after the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife put out the call for a home for the wild cat. The Department was called out on two occasions to a Cle Elum, WA neighborhood when residents reported the four-month-old cougar in their backyards. The wild-caught cougar has yet to be named.
The Wildcat Sanctuary in MN played an integral part in the 2,747 mile, three day, coast-to-coast trip. Once permits were secured at both ends of the country, the cougar rode an airplane from Washington to Minnesota. Staff from The Wildcat Sanctuary drove the cat from Minnesota to Indianapolis, where they met a transport vehicle from Carolina Tiger Rescue for the last ten-hour leg of the voyage to the cougar’s new home.
In the last three years, Carolina Tiger has rescued 22 animals, and this will be the first of 2019. “We are very happy to be able to offer a home to the new cougar,” said Kathryn Bertok, Carolina Tiger Rescue’s Assistant Director. “We will spend the next few weeks getting to know the cougar’s personality and likes and dislikes. We want do to everything we can to make his transition to our care as easy as possible.”
The cougar, like all new rescues, will go through a 30-day quarantine period. In that time, he will receive a medical exam and the animal care team will also learn more about the cougar. The team will be able to further assess his needs.
The cost of the rescue, quarantine, and a new habitat will be $20,500. You can help our young cougar by giving on our website or through the sanctuary’s Facebook page. Mailed checks must have “Rescue” in the memo line and be sent to 1940 Hanks Chapel Road, Pittsboro, N.C. 27312. One hundred percent of donations go toward the care of the animals and education.
5/5/2020 UPDATE: Named for the Washington state wildlife officer who rescued him, Beausoleil Cougar, affectionatly known as Beau, is doing wonderfully in his new forever home. He has grown into a healthy young male, and it has been rewarding for staff and visitors to witness his development. To read more about Beau, click here.
About: Carolina Tiger Rescue is a 501(c)3 federally-accredited nonprofit wildlife sanctuary dedicated to saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild. We work toward a day when wild cats are living in their native habitats and not exploited by humans.
###
