New Malayan Tigers Arrive

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1 EFBC s Feline Conservation Center SPRING 2016 Dedicated to the Protection and Preservation of Endangered Felines Inside: Donations 2 Memorial for Joe 2 Cat of the Quarter 3 Intern Study 4 Intern Program 5 Annual Report 6 Meet Naina 7 Stay Connected 7 Membership Form 7 Calendar of Events back New Malayan Tigers Arrive As EFBC s Feline Conservation Center builds it Malayan tiger breeding program, we are pleased to welcome two more additions to the population. Jango and Raja are one-year-old brothers from the Alexandria Zoo in Louisiana who arrived in January. They join our other latest arrival, Batari, a female from the Fresno Chafee Zoo who arrived in October. Both brothers are very friendly and Jango in his Project Tiger enclosure. love to chuff at us and visitors. Jango is on public display in Project Tiger. Tiga, our oldest Malayan tiger who arrived in 2012 from Naples Zoo in Florida, still occupies the other Project Tiger enclosure. Spring Twilight Tour: April 30 Continues on Page 5 SPOTS & STRIPES is published quarterly by the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound s Feline Conservation Center for members. For questions, comments or suggestions, contact EFBC-FCC The first Twilight Tour of 2016 will take place on Saturday, April 30! This popular event is for adults only, 18 years and over. The cost is $20 per person. Tickets can be paid in advance by calling between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (except Wednesdays). Payment at the door on the day of the event is CASH or CHECK ONLY. Doors open for PREPAID guests at 5 p.m. Those paying at the door can enter at 5:30 p.m. There is a bake sale sponsored by our American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) chapter, raffle prizes, a barbeque by the Lancaster Rotary Club and other surprises, including cat enrichments. Visit cathouse-fcc.org to learn more.

2 P a ge 2 S pots & S t ripes S pring 2016 Donations GENERAL DONATIONS: We always like to recognize those who provide unrestricted donations to help EFBC cover its ever increasing expenses. Things are always breaking and need replacement or repairs, and general maintenance is an ongoing project. Each spring we repair and replace den boxes and will also be painting a lot of the welded wire enclosures. Special thank you to: Tiffany Acito, Keith Anderson, Linda Braun, Norm Bruckman, Anne Calabrese, Bonnie C. Clark, Carol Clark, Chris Clark, Mary Kate Crawford, Jeffrey & Susan Cristol, Ruth Duque, Jill Evensizer, Jill Farschman, David Forward, Mike & Anne Green, David Gregory, Dell Hledik, Richard & Beverly Kerns, Ian MacLeod & Susan Lozier, Joan McClain, Scott McGinley, Evangelina Nevarez, Joy Oestriecher, Philip Roberts, Norma Rodriguez, Paul Scott, Kevin Sinichko, Kim & Scott Steadman, Chris Tromborg, Robert & Patricia Waidner, Leslie Ward & Sharon Hathaway, Rebekah & Wesley Ward, Jim & Debbie Wenck, Anthony Williams, and Lifetime Members Toni Chancellor-Adams and Michael Kraut. EFBC s American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) Chapter was also able to donate $1,500 for general use thanks to their hard work in raising funds through bake sales and other projects. BATHROOM FUND: We raised $261 this quarter bringing our total to $12,549. This is mainly thanks to our adoptive parent Justin Smith who sends us an extra $50 each month toward this project, in addition to his adoption of Kyoke. Our goal remains at $75,000. MATCHING GIFT: In December, we started a program where our visitors and supporters could buy a Christmas gift for one of our felines. On the tree were bulbs with the cat s picture and an item/toy they would like. Our visitors were able to go onto a computer and order the gift via direct payment. EFBC Member Maggie Kalbaugh brought this to the attention of her employer Iberdrola Renewables, who previously provided us financial support. They agreed to match the expense of all the items and donated a check for $5,166. What a wonderful holiday surprise and we thank everyone at Iberdrola Renewables for their generosity. In Joe s Memory More than 100 guests from around the country attended a private memorial service for EFBC-FCC founder Joe Maynard on Jan. 30. Joe died in October after a brief battle with cancer. Part of the memorial included friends, family and colleagues sharing stories about Joe, who founded EFBC- FCC in 1977 and grew the facility to what it is today. EFBC-FCC has established a memorial fund in Joe s memory. Memorial attendees contributed $370 to the fund. We also received donations from Sierra Towing, Peter & Jean Brewer, Kathryn Davis, Carol Fenwick, Karen & Russ James, Mary Marlowe, George & Joan Paulikas, Teresa Peebles, Continues on Page 3

3 Spots & Stripes Spring 2016 Page 3 Cat of the Quarter: Pandora the Jungle Cat No doubt if you ve visited EFBC-FCC over the last 13 years, you ve been greeted in the late afternoon by one particular small cat who is quite a talker. That cat is Pandora the Jungle cat (Felis chaus). Pandora came to EFBC-FCC in 2003, after being caught by animal control officers in Peachtree, GA, who received complaints from residents that a large cat had been attacking housecats. Because his origins are unknown, Pandora is not here for breeding, but for education. Jungle cats are also known as Swamp cats or Reed cats and live mostly along waterways. They have a broad distribution from the Nile River Valley in Africa, to India and southern Asia. They are also found in tropical China and Southeast Asia. Though they are generally found in lower elevations, they have been recorded in the Himalayas and mountainous areas in Tadzhikistan. These cats prefer living in tall grassy areas, reed beds or thick brush. They eat mostly rodents, but also birds. Jungle cats are very adaptable, and do well in many different types of envipandora the Jungle cat. ronments and areas. They are excellent swimmers and have been observed diving for fish in shallow waters. Though Jungle cats are a species of least concern when it comes to determining their vulnerability in the wild, their numbers are decreasing, especially in Egypt and parts of Asia. Natural wetlands destruction and reclamation projects pose a large threat to Jungle cats, as well as trapping, snaring and poisoning. Betty Platero, Larry Purcell, Irene & Cherylrenee Rendes, Judith Waters, Guardian for Animals and $1,000 from the Feline Conservation Federation in appreciation of all the contributions Joe made to their organization. To date, $4,145 has been donated in Joe s memory. Additionally, an etched plaque of Joe was donated by Andy Meyers of American Data Plate. This beautiful memorial to Joe will be mounted in our exhibit area. Photos: (far left) Guests attend the memorial. (Left) Joe s grandson, Ryan May.

4 P a ge 4 S pots & S t ripes S pring 2016 Intern Utilizes EFBC s Species Diversity for Study There s a lot to learn about a cat s health from their stool, and EFBC-FCC intern Kelsey Clarke is on a mission to find out. Clarke, a recent graduate of the University of Oregon with a BS in Anthropology and a minor in Biology, has embarked on a four-month stool study of several different species of EFBC -FCC cats. The facility s diverse population of cat species gives Clarke access to a large sample all in one place. EFBC-FCC intern Kelsey Clarke works on her study in the facility s clinic. The study, Variation in Stool Normality Among Various Captive Felid Species, is a preliminary study aiming to show that there is stool variation in different diets. Clarke focused on cat species that had a population at EFBC-FCC of four or more. The species that are being studied are a good mix of big and small cats and include Black-footed cats (Felis nigripes), Sand cats (Felis margarita), Pallas cats (Otocolobus manul), Fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus), Northern Chinese leopards (Panthera pardus japonensis), Malayan tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni), Jaguars (Panthera onca) and Snow leopards (Panthera uncia). Clarke is aiming to find that whether stool that is considered abnormal looking with some cats, may actually be normal depending on species and diet. At EFBC-FCC, the diet of the cats can vary depending on size and species. For example, with the compound s small cats, the diet varies from Black-footed cats, which are fed a diet of rats and mice, to Sand cats and Pallas cats, both of which receive rats. Fishing cats, however, have fish in their diet. Clarke is already seeing some general trends. The health of the cat as indicated by stool should be different depending on species and quality of diet, she said. Her ultimate goal is to expand her study, since other zoos and facilities feed different diets to their cats. Clarke completed the first phase of the study collecting for one month the stool samples for the eight different species in the sample. The second phase will be a one-month collection of the same cats in June. Clarke will be able to compare if weather has an effect on the normality of the stool. Clarke would like to use her study as a writing sample for a masters or Ph.D. program. I d like to thank all the volunteers, zookeepers and interns for helping in the collection of the stool and who have been so supportive of the study, she said. Learn more about EFBC-FCC s Intern Program on Page 5..

5 Spots & Stripes Spring 2016 Page 5 EFBC-FCC s Intern Program EFBC-FCC has limited availability for qualified interns. The internship is a minimum 12-week program, however longer durations can be considered. The program provides hands-on training and experience in maintaining wild felines in captivity More information on internships and how to apply can be found online at volunteer.html. Pictured: [left photo]: Intern Desiree Johnson (L) is a recent graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, earning a BS in Environmental Management & Protection. Anne Castiglioni was an intern in 2013, earning a MS in Wildlife Biology from Keystone College. [Top right] Intern Prajakta Bhoir is earning a MS in Wildlife Sciences from South Dakota State University. Continued from Cover Batari is separated from Jango but also occupies Project Tiger, while Raja is enjoying his enclosure on the hillside next to Cleo the tiger. The Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) inhabits the southern and central parts of the Malay Peninsula (which includes parts of Thailand and Malaysia). It is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List as a Critically Endangered species, with a wild population estimated at 500. Malayan tigers are smaller than the Indian (aka Bengal) subspecies, but are similar in size to Sumatran tigers. Their body weight ranges from 52 to 195 pounds for females, 104 to 285 pounds for males. Malayan tigers prey on sambar deer, barking deer, wild boar, Bornean bearded pigs and serow. Tigers in Taman Negara also prey on sun bear and elephant calves. Habitat fragmentation due to development projects and agriculture are serious threats. Commercial poaching occurs at varying levels. Pictured Top: Batari is a female Malayan from Fresno Chafee Zoo; Second Row: Raja (L) and Tiga.

6 P a ge 6 S pots & S t ripes S pring 2016 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The Exotic Feline Breeding Compound Incorporated, Feline Conservation Center is a not for profit, 501 (c)(3) public benefit corporation dedicated to the preservation and propagation of rare and endangered felines through breeding, research, and education. EFBC/FCC is run by an active Board of Directors which governs policies, procedures, and the direction of the corporation. Directors and officers receive no compensation for their services, nor retain any personal interest in any portion of the assets of the corporation. Officers are elected at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors and serve a term of 3 years. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kristi Krause, D.V.M., President Sandra Masek, Treasurer Camille Gadwood, Director of Public Relations Nicole Pearson, Esq., Director Larry Purcell, Vice President Nancy Vandermey, Secretary Jeff Conrad, D.V.M., Director Bob Slade, Director Scott Weldy, D.V.M., Director FINANCIAL STATEMENT Audited financial statements for the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound Inc., Feline Conservation Center fiscal year ending September 30, 2015 are now on file. The following are highlights of our annual report. For copies of the complete financial statements, please send a self addressed 9 x11 envelope and a check for $10.00 for postage and handling to: EFBC/FCC, th Street West, Rosamond, CA Audits of EFBC/FCC s internal operation and the compiling of its financial statements and required Federal and State filings are completed by an independent, outside accounting agency. Total support and revenue, including non-cash donations: $424,289 Program service expenses: $ Administrative & fund raising expenses: $51,863 Net support and revenue over (under) expenditures: (includes depreciation of $39,890) ($82,782) Total liabilities and net assets: $1,

7 Spots & Stripes Spring 2016 Page 7 Stay Connected! VISIT Our website for the latest on new arrivals, births and construction projects. JOIN Our Google Group list at groups.google.com and search EFBCFelineConservationCenter (no spaces). Meet Naina Our Newest Snow leopard! LIKE This lovely female arrived at EFBC-FCC on Feb. 17 from Tierpark Berlin Zoo. She will turn 2 years old in May. Naina lives in the area known as the I next to Karim, a male who arrived from Germany last year. Our Facebook Fan Page EFBC s Feline Conservation Center.

8 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES NOW AVAILABLE FOR EFBC s Annual Fabulous Feline Follies Aug. 13, 2016 This one of a kind evening begins at 5:00 pm with No-Host cocktails and a special opportunity to mingle with animal ambassadors. Guests can also browse many unique silent auction items and enjoy viewing EFBC s wild feline residents in their natural enclosures throughout the evening. Dinner is buffet style and includes a vegetarian option. Door prizes, raffle drawings and special entertainment will round out the evening s festivities. Donations of silent auction items are accepted year-round. For Sponsorship Package Information, visit or call (661) EFBC s Feline Conservation Center th Street West Rosamond, CA voice, during operating hours (10 am - 4 pm Thurs.-Tues.) recorded directions and information, 24 hours fax