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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Feline Conservation Center
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