Two young cougars whose mother was killed by poachers in Alberta have just arrived at the Safari park after a long process that saved them from a certain death.
“As soon as we were advised that the Calgary zoo could not take them, we put everything in place to save these animals, otherwise they should have been euthanized,” exclaimed Serge Lussier, CEO of Parc Safari.
The two new cougars of the Safari Park. At the bottom, the little female, and at the top, her 10 month old brother. They were saved from a certain death by the Safari park after the death of their mother.
Photo provided by Parc Safari
Last February, the Safari Park received a call from Albertan chase guards who fell on two five-month orphaned cougars babies. According to the law, in Alberta, if a wild animal cannot survive in its natural environment, it must be shot.
“We were told that the little ones were going in circles and did not know what to do, it’s really terrible. The chass guards did not want the euthanize, so I was contacted, “commented the zoologist by training, who worked in zoos of Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.
The two young cougars enjoyed a small walk during the day. They arrived at Parc Safari two weeks ago after spending four months at the Vancouver zoo.
Photo provided by Parc Safari
The Safari park being the only place having the space to accommodate the little cougar and its sister, everything has been set up to ensure their survival. A first transfer was first made to the Calgary zoo for health checks, before a four -month stay at the Grand Vancouver Zoo.
Then, two weeks ago, the two young cougars, now 10 months old, were finally able to join their new habitat. The total cost of operations in order to adapt an enclosure capable of meeting their needs is almost $ 200,000.
One of the two cougars, the male, who jumps to join his perch. His sister and were saved from a certain death after the Way guards contacted the Safari park to ask them to take care of them following the death of their mother.
Photo provided by Parc Safari
“It’s a big investment, but it’s worth it!” We want these two cougars to become our emblem, they are the first, but not the last we save, “said the director general of the Safari Park, who intends to head more and more towards a mission to protect our species.
Serge Lussier, zoologist for 30 years and managing director of the Safari Park. He worked for five months to allow the transfer of two 10 -month -old cougars who lost their mother last February.
Photo Marianne Langlois
As the interest in wild Canadian animals is up sharply, the two newcomers could attract a lot of visitors.
“It’s been a few years since we see how people want to learn about our local species. Initiatives like those of the Safari Park allow us to reconnect the population to our fauna, ”says Joanie Asselin, biologist and owner of Animazoo, who specializes in educational workshops by featuring survivor animals.
Animal lovers can already visit the two animals, which will be present a year, and they are even invited to participate in a competition to find names.
