December 5th, 2006

Last week a concerned citizen contacted The WildCat Sanctuary in Minnesota about an orphaned cougar cub seen eating scraps in Wheeler County, Oregon. He was being shot at by local residents in Mitchell. TWS in turn contacted Michelle Shireman of the Oregon Zoo and WildCat Haven to see what we could do to help.

Even though it's not Law Enforcement policy to capture and hold cougars, after talking with the Sheriff in Wheeler, telling them that TWS could provide a lifetime home for this small, emaciated cub, WildCat Haven received a call telling us they had captured the cub and would hold him until we could arrange pick-up (with ODFW's approval). Sadly that's where our rescue efforts were stopped.

In a call to Don Whitaker of ODFW (503-947-6325) he told WCH in no uncertain terms that if we tried to capture the cub or make an attempt to help the cub in anyway he would cite us. He also informed us that they had no information they would share with us and that ODFW was working on the matter and gathering information.

In accordance with Oregon’s Cougar Management Plan, Michele Shireman of the Oregon Zoo had 48 hours to find an AZA accredited facility to take this cub. Sanctuaries were absolutely NOT an option. Michelle worked all through the night on friday and saturday making calls to facilities around the country – but no AZA accredited facility with space could be found over the weekend. Portland Zoo even offered to house the cub for at least 72 hours to allow a better chance of finding an AZA zoo for placement. Don Whittaker refused to that as well.

Since The Wildcat Sanctuary, is not an AZA zoo ODFW refused to allow them to give the cub a lifetime home, as this did not meet the guidelines of the 'Cougar Management Plan'. Sunday morning, Portland’s KATU news alerted Oregonians of this cougar cub life and death situation and the noon deadline for finding him a home.

All day long pleas went out to viewers for their help. With phone calls pouring in to express outrage over ODFW's policy the sad truth is all ODFW had to do was bend their rules and allow this cub to go to The Wildcat Sanctuary or provide him with a “stay of execution” until another suitable home could be found when offices opened on Monday. But ODFW did not answer their phone or return any calls. The 48 hour deadline came and went with no one knowing whether the cub was still alive.

At noon on Monday ODFW finally responded to the outcry, telling KATU news that the cougar cub had actually been put to death on Saturday. They had determined that he was too sick to recovery and euthanized him.

Needless to say we are outraged, especially seeing the video clip of the cub just hours before they destroyed him. He was certainly weak and emaciated but alert and responding to everyone around him.

Click the Following Image for Raw: Footage of Sick Cougar Cub Before it was Euthanized

KATU News Article

PORTLAND, Ore. - A cougar cub found wandering alone in Wheeler County was euthanized in Bend on Saturday after a veterinarian examined the animal and decided its health was poor and it had little chance of survival. The fate of the 12-pound cougar cub named Lucky was in question over the weekend.

Oregon Zoo officials said they did not have room for the animal and state wildlife officials stuck to a policy requiring cougar cubs to be placed in a facility accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association within 48 hours. Although zoo officials found a potential home at The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota, it was not an accredited facility.

Kiefer Davis of Mitchell, Ore., was part of a group that found and captured the cougar. He filmed it prior to the animal being euthanized. Here's what he told KATU in an e-mail sent Monday:

"Although here in Mitchell, cougar ARE a huge problem, even in town, this little guy was rescued and we were told they had found a care facility for him in Minnesota. As you can see in the video, Bob and Will took very good care of him with two pounds of meat and fresh water. Not long after I shot the video, he was taken and was supposed to be placed in a care facility in Minnesota. This little guy was here in Mitchell, coming up on peoples porches, eating out of their dogs and cats bowls and the entire time he was in the cage, was very docile. (You can hear me state that he "doesn't look well".)

It was very obvious that something was wrong. Just what, I don't know. We here in Mitchell do not take kindly to cougar being in our town, near our children, and one of their favorite meals is our pets. But this little guy was rescued and we all felt sorry for him as it was very apparent he was an orphan and not well at all. We were very happy to hear he would be going to a good care facility. Breaks our hearts.

Don't Let Another Cougar Cub Die at the Hands of ODFW!

This cub and all Oregon cougars need our help!

Write or call Governor Ted Kulongoski and ODFW Wildlife Division Administrator Ron Anglin, tell them why you believe this cougar kitten should not have died and all the cougars slated for killing over the next five years should not be eradicated through the "Cougar Management Policy." A policy which was created as an " Internal Policy", by-passing a public vote by all Oregon Voters. It gives ODFW far too much authority and we believe they have been given this power illegally.

Ask them to tell you why they believe the Cougar Management Policy is an effective and humane population control.

Governor Ted Kulongoski 160 State Capitol 900 Court Street Salem, Oregon 97301-4047 Phone: 503-378-4582

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 3406 Cherry Avenue, N.E. Salem, Oregon 97303

Make your voice heard, send as many letters opposing this proposal as possible! Please tell your friends, family,

and co-workers.

Let's make the change to stop the senseless killing of these incredible wildcats!

For the wildcats,

Michael & Cheryl Tuller

www.wildcathaven.org

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