Set in the heart of the Kent countryside, providing the peace and tranquillity required for successful breeding of endangered cats, we have The Big Cat Sanctuary. No cat is too big nor too small; they house everything from Palla's Cats to Puma's and Tigers. As it is Leopard week of our Big Five Instagram series, it is only fitting that we take a look at how one of our recommended charities is promoting the continuation of this amazing species.
Amur Leopard Panthera pardus orientalis
Artur
Artur was born in 2002 in Novosibirsk Zoo in Russia. He became a part of the sanctuary in 2004, along with his brother Artem as part of the breeding programme. They lived together for a while before Artur was introduced to Xizi, siring two cubs with her in 2008. Having played his part in the breeding programme Artur will now enjoy his retirement at the sanctuary. He is particular fondly fond of smells; cinnamon, perfume, lavender and even sun cream and coffee in particular will turn Artur into a big kitten.
Hogar
Hogar was four years old when he came to the sanctuary in 2011 as part of the breeding programme. He was partnered with Xizi, with the pair producing two cubs; Zeya and Manchurian, who have both since been transferred for breeding.
Hogar is an absolutely huge Amur leopard, big enough to be mistaken for a Jaguar by some observers.
Xizi
Xizi came to the sanctuary in 2007, having been born and raised in Helsinki zoo in Finland. She has mated with both Hogar and Artur, producing a set of cubs with each.
In 2008, she bred with Artur giving birth to two male cubs, Argun and Anuy. Argun is currently still in the UK, awaiting a female. While Anuy has moved to the other side of the world, specifically Hiroshima Zoo in Japan. He has himself fathered cubs, making Xizi a grandmother.
North Chinese Leopard
Panthera pardus japonensis
Atara
Atara comes from parents Noomi and Benni at Tierpark Berlin. She is very petite with a beautiful, long fluffy tail. Atara is very feisty and vocal, she is always ready to shout at anyone who passes her enclosure. Full of confidence she is never far away when there is an opportunity to hide and jump out, she loves to make people jump.
As she has gotten older she has become quite lazy, however as a natural poser she can often be found participating in photography workshops.
Ta'iri
Ta’iri was the only surviving cub from her mothers litter of three. Ta'iri can be very shy so much prefers to sit and watch both keepers and guests from a high vantage point out of sight. He is starting to come round and will occasionally come over to greet keepers on their daily checks, even now starting to take handfeeds. He is a perfect example of a North Chinese Leopard, with an immaculate coat.
Snow Leopard
Panther uncia
Yarko
Yarko is a relatively new addition to the sanctuary, arriving in June 2013. He is a good looking leopard and a big fan of sitting outside and watching the goings on of the site. Yarko is a member of the European Endangered Species Programme and it is hoped he will eventually have offspring with the sanctuary's other Snow Leopard, Laila.
Laila
Laila was two years old when she arrived at the sanctuary in 2011, coming all the way from Antwerp Zoo in Belgium. Her mother had unfortunately passed away when she was only a few months old and so she was partially reared by keepers at the Antwerp zoo. This makes her very friendly towards humans and she will often take hand-feeds. It is hoped, as part of the European Endangered Species Programme, she will eventually have cubs with Yarko.
As one of our recommended charities we have an option to send your donation to The Big Cat Sanctuary on our product pages. You can read more here about how your donation works, or click here to check out our latest range.
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