04
Jan
2018
Simba Bobcat (2018)

Simba Bobcat (2018)

Safe travels, Simba – January 30 2018

Simba

I was hoping against hope that we would get through the rest of 2018 without any more losses but sadly on Nov 6th, we helped Simba move onto his next journey. He had declined dramatically just over the past week, and we knew it was time. Simba came to WCR in August of 2006 when he was eight years old. Purchased as a kitten from a Montana fur farm his owner thought having a bobcat would be great. As Simba grew out of his cute kitten stage and his owners started having children he was banned to their garage where he lived for the next seven years. His owner found us on the web and contacted us many times to take Simba and we finally agreed even though we had no room. A new enclosure had to be built for him but seeing how much he enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine, we knew it was the right thing to do. During his time at the Sanctuary, he lived together with Cleo, Bobby and Bailey Rae. Moving to Scotts Mills we were able to break up the foursome into two pens, with Simba and Bailey Rae together.

Despite being declawed on all four feet, Simba reminded us every day over the next twelve years that although captive bred and born, he was certainly no pet and remained our most aggressive bobcat until the end. But he lived comfortably with Bailey Rae and they were rarely apart. While we all feel the loss of Simba, there is no doubt Bailey Rae will be the most impacted. Having lived with a companion the entire time she’s been with us, we worry about her and hope that as time goes on she will adapt to being alone. Over the past year, we have lost four bobcats who each left behind a companion. Not only is losing them heartbreaking but knowing their companions will live the rest of their lives alone is the most heartbreaking of all ???? Safe travels Simba, we will miss your ferocious attitude and growls but know you’re finally free for the first time . . .

Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Bobcats, Memorials
01
Jan
2018

Spizz Serval (2019)

Farewell, sweet boy – December 30th, 2019

Spizz

Spizz

Spizz came to us from Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (SWCC) in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was confiscated from a breeder in New Mexico and placed at the Scottsdale rescue center. Executive Director Linda Searles contacted Wildcat Ridge, because they can only house indigenous animals. We have worked with Linda before on rescues, so we were happy to help. Her vets did all the work needed, including a physical exam and neutering him so he was ready for his new life at WildCat Ridge.

Little was known about Spizz other than the fact that he’d been used for breeding. He now lives with Sebastian the serval and is doing great. We have even caught him cuddled in one of the dens with Sebastian! He’s settled in and seems to be more relaxed. That is until dinner time, when he makes sure he’s at the head of the line.•

*Sadly we lost Spizz on December 30th, 2019

Posted by Stefanie Kraus in Servals
01
Dec
2017
Tamika Serval (2019)

Tamika Serval (2019)

Safe travels, beautiful girl – December 13 2019

Tamika

On Tuesday of this week, we lost Tamika, one of the servals at WildCat Ridge Sanctuary. She seemed off for about a week but still eating so we scheduled a vet exam on Friday. She got a physical, meds, fluids and an enema. She still seemed sluggish so Tuesday we took her into Compass Vet to have an ultrasound and X-rays done. Sadly we found that her liver was hard, filled with fibroid tumors and her gall bladder was ruptured. We had no choice other than to let her go ???? It’s never easy to lose one of our rescues and especially tough when it’s unexpected. We never get the opportunity to really prepare for it and the fact that she was only twelve years old makes losing her even more sad.

Tamika came with her brother Safari in 2016. Their original paperwork showed they were sold as F1 Savannahs, which of course was not true. They were both nine years old when they came to us and they were very bonded. Tamika was the brave one of the two and she was the boss, no question! Safari was as laid back and calm as Tamika was in your face, letting us know she didn’t suffer fools lightly. She was very clear that we were only good for one thing and that was bringing food. She was very protective of Safari even though he didn’t need protecting, it was her job and she took it seriously!

Now, we’re left knowing that Safari is missing her and it’s so sad, having lived their entire lives together. We are hopeful that we’ll be able to provide him with another companion in the future, but Tamika leaves huge paws to fill ???? Tamika you are truly wild now, no longer earthbound, but free from the confines of captivity and we will never forget your fierce spirit and sass, safe travel little girl . . . ????

Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Memorials, Servals
01
Dec
2017
Tashi Bobcat (2021)

Tashi Bobcat (2021)

Safe travels Tashi, we were honored to love and care for you …

It seems never-ending, but with many of our residents older, losing them is inevitable. However, it doesn’t make the loss any less painful. Last week we had to say goodbye to Tashi ????

Tashi came to us in 2003 after living in a crate in a basement the entire three years of her life. Originally from a fur farm, the owner purchased her to use for breeding to try to create bobcat hybrids. She was anemic from fleas, had an upper respiratory infection, and was underweight. But the saddest thing about Tashi is when she arrived at WCR is she moved as if she was still in that tiny crate she had lived in. It was months before she actually broke that pattern ????

Thankfully with a proper diet and lots of room to roam she settled in and enjoyed her life. In her later years, she shared her space with little Isis another bobcat, and they adored each other. When we lost Isis over a month ago, Tashi changed. She mourned for her friend and the keepers did all they could to help her. They sat with her so she would eat and watched her closely but she continued to go downhill. A trip to see Dr. Connolly showed Tashi was in advanced renal failure and there was nothing we could do but to let her go peacefully ????

The bond that the wildcats create with each other is so strong and it feels like Tashi gave up after losing Isis. In my heart of hearts, I’d like to believe that she’s found Isis and they are cuddling in a beautiful meadow without a care in the world. Safe travels Tashi, we were honored to love and care for you . . .

Posted by Stefanie Kraus in Bobcats, Memorials
01
Oct
2017
Uche Serval (2023)

Uche Serval (2023)

Safe travels beautiful boy – January 2023

UcheLosing a family member is never easy and all the animals at WildCat Ridge Sanctuary are absolutely family, even though they might not feel the same way. On January 7th, we said goodbye to Uche.

Uche was born in 2003 at the San Diego Zoo and hand raised. He then went to a private facility that did educational programs. When their funding ended they reached out to WCR to see if we could provide a lifetime home for Uche and two other wildcats, Bobby, a bobcat, and Dot, an F1 Asian Leopard Cat hybrid. They arrived at the Sanctuary in August 2008. Uche became fast friends with Chirpy & Cha-Cha two servals that lived together. They were a perfect trio, always together, and loving sanctuary life. As the years went by Uche outlived his best friends but was always happy to have a new companion to share his habitat with.

Uche was a calm, stoic boy who liked his enrichment and food very much. Over the past year, we started to see that his age was catching up with him. We keep a close eye on him and had regular vet visits to determine just what was needed but this past month was different. He was slowing down and wasn’t very interested in eating. He was moved into the wellness center when he started showing signs of an upper respiratory infection, and he was monitored daily by Natasha, our Animal Care Director, and Tiffany, the Operations Manager. He had good days that were encouraging but the bad days started happening more and more. Despite trying all we could Uche finally let us know it was time.  Dr. Penny Jacobs came out late Friday night and with Tiffany and Natasha by his side released him to move on to his next journey. Providing care for a captive-born wildcat is an honor we never take for granted, it’s sad and bittersweet letting them go, but knowing after 20 years he is finally free is something we keep close to our hearts. Safe travels beautiful boy we are grateful to have had you in our lives and we miss you every day.

Posted by Stefanie Kraus in Memorials, Servals

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