Constantly Growing and Improving
The "Cadillac of Lion Homes" is one
of the many projects Claude and
Amy Bittle have funded. Mufasa
Lion and his pride clearly love their
roomy, wooded enclosure.
Photos by Abbie Cooke.
Daniel Harrison and David Worster adopted Abigail and Alico Kinkajou, which helped move the climbing kinks into a much-improved cage with hammocks, swings, and platforms.
Photos by Abbie Cooke.
*On monthly workdays, crews of volunteers build cages and enrichment for the animal residents; and they mow, trim, and plant to make the compound more attractive for visitors. The Center's terrific volunteer crew leaders ensure everyone has a great time. And, really, what's more satisfying than talking to a tiger while you work? To receive regular updates about scheduled workdays and progress reports, contact Steve Simmons at construction@conservatorscenter.org.
Mebanites Support the Center
The Mebane Women's Club hosted a benefit event for the Center at Dick and Jane's Martini and Tapas Bar in downtown Mebane. The club committee included Kelli Potter (who sponsors Tia Tiger) and Jill Auditori of Solgarden. Entertainment was provided by a popular local band, Mebanesville. The Center's ever-popular educational servals made an appearance with staff and volunteers. Center co-founders Doug Evans and Mindy Stinner were the guest speakers at a recent Mebane Business Association meeting. They described the community support they have received and encouraged continuing participation in future projects.
Enrichment Keeps the Animals Happily Occupied
Donors and volunteers at the Center enrich the animals' lives with objects they build and buy for them.
Boomer Balls are big, plastic toys
that offer endless entertainment for
the Center’s big cats. To help their
adjustment, the Center sent the Boomer
Balls Judy Hoffman bought Hope and
Riley Tiger with them to the Baghdad
Zoo. Imagine Judy's delight when she
saw photos of the tigers romping with
their Boomer Balls in newspapers from
around the globe!
Cage enrichment includes wooden climbing platforms and hammocks
made of fire hose (it's strong enough to withstand a big cat's pounce!).
Countless staff, intern, and volunteer hours are spent building devices to amuse the animals.
Photos by Abbie Cooke.
Center Residents Travel to Teach
Some of the Center's residents have been
socialized for educational outreach.
Their adventures include:
- Kodi and Samara New Guinea Singing
Dog visited the Winston-Salem Children's
Museum.
- Taz Lynx visited the NC Museum of
Natural Sciences in Raleigh.
- Sammy Serval visited the Danville
Science Center, and the Occaneechi
Indian Tribe.
Interns Learn Keeper Skills
The Center's summer and fall internship programs included students from NC State, Davidson Community College, NC A&T, Elon, and Ireland! Interns learn every aspect of animal care working alongside the Center's keepers. "My internship far exceeded my expectations," says Erin Stormont. "What I learned about exotic animal management and safe animal handling will give me a leg up when I apply for keeper positions after I graduate." The Center is currently accepting applications for Spring and Summer 2009. Interested? Email keeper@conservatorscenter.org.
Sharing the Knowledge
Conservators' Center co-founders Doug
Evans and Mindy Stinner put their
extensive experience with exotic animals
to work to encourage safe and responsible
management.
Doug was elected NC State Representative
for the Feline Conservation Federation. He
is a legislative liaison and coordinator to
resolve statewide issues related to exotic cats.
Mindy taught a class about the care of
wild cats at the annual Feline Conservation
Federation conference. Her students included
zookeepers, owners of private facilities,
people considering a career working with
exotics, and government officials who
encounter these animals in their work.