All articles tagged with #big cats
A study analyzing DNA from Wyoming’s prehistoric big cat provides genetic insights that researchers say could inform conservation strategies for modern big cats such as cheetahs, lions, and tigers, potentially improving genetic diversity and resilience—though practical applications are still exploratory and require further research.
A lion and a bear rescued from illegal captivity in Albania have been relocated to wildlife sanctuaries in Germany, highlighting ongoing issues with illegal wildlife trade and private pet ownership in the region.
Rescued lions, tigers, and bears from the now-closed Lujan Zoo in Argentina are receiving urgent veterinary care before being relocated to wildlife sanctuaries abroad, in one of Argentina's largest animal rescue efforts following the zoo's shutdown due to safety and welfare concerns.
A jaguar in Brazil set a new record by swimming 1.54 miles to reach an island, showcasing remarkable swimming capabilities and raising questions about its motivations, possibly driven by exploration or hunting rather than hunger.
Scientists have found DNA evidence suggesting a leopard may be roaming the Lake District in the UK, after matching DNA from a dead sheep to a non-native large feline. This discovery, made by Professor Robin Allaby, marks the first scientific proof of large, non-native cats in Britain. However, more samples are needed for definitive confirmation, and some experts remain skeptical due to the lack of additional evidence such as multiple sheep kills or clear photographs.
A study has found that big cats, including tigers and cheetahs, can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar human voices, indicating that even solitary animals possess social cognition. The research, which involved various exotic cat species in captive settings, revealed that the cats responded more attentively and intensely to familiar human voices compared to unfamiliar ones, regardless of whether they were hand-reared or mother-reared. The findings suggest that the ability to recognize individual human voices is not solely a result of domestication, but rather regular exposure to humans, and could also apply to wild cats if they were regularly exposed to human voices.
A video of a cheetah meowing like a domestic cat has surprised many people who were unaware that cheetahs cannot roar like other big cats. Cheetahs meow because they belong to the same sub-family of small cats, known as Felinae, which includes domestic cats. Unlike big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars, cheetahs have a fixed voice box that prevents them from roaring. The video has gained popularity on TikTok, with viewers finding the cheetah's meow adorable.
A new study has found that declawing big cats, such as lions and tigers, disproportionately affects their muscular capabilities compared to smaller cat species. Declawing involves removing part or all of the last bone of each digit, resulting in significant reductions in muscle density, mass, and strength in the forelimbs. This practice is often done to allow cubs to be handled safely for entertainment purposes. The research highlights the anatomically devastating effects of declawing on larger species and emphasizes the cruelty of this practice.