Persons
interested in providing captive habitat for felines
as large and strong as cougars must live in a
suitable environment. Close neighbors, small
children, excessive employment obligations, limited
income - each of these situations interfere with and
prevent quality captive husbandry. We
recommend a minimum enclosure size of 1,000
square feet for each cougar.
Bobcats enjoy
playing in water so a pool stocked with small fish
or toys will encourage this behavior. Protection
from summer heat and sun is best provided by shade
trees. Design the cage with double door entryways to
prevent escape.
When
contemplating providing exercise compounds that are
open topped, one must take extra precautions to
insure that the felines cannot climb or jump out. We
have successfully provided large play grounds for
our small cat species by using fencing walls that
are at least ten feet all and have a 30 inch
re-curve structure on top. For extra security, we
have installed two electrical wires, one at the
eight foot level and another at the end of the
overhang structure.
To increase the
quality of life for wild felines, caging should be
as large as possible. Confinement should be habitat,
not imprisonment. Careful planning and design of
enclosures will enable you to provide enrichments,
such as bushes, trees, pools, rocks and catwalks.
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N.O.A.H.
Feline Conservation Center
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