Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Catjane on June 27, 2009, 10:02:00 AM

Title: Shut in with a big cat!
Post by: Catjane on June 27, 2009, 10:02:00 AM

I feel so privileged! My friend and I go regularly to a WHF sanctuary which isn't exactly open to the public, although they do have the odd photographic day with just a few people being shown round by the keepers.  As a result we have got to know everybody and are allowed to visit whenever we like ... and they even give us keys to go inside the distance barriers and into the big cats' houses :)  We do pet the animals through the large-mesh fences (although we're not encouraged to), which is wonderful enough, but when we went this week one of the keepers (Fraser) took us into the Lynx enclosure, as in, actually in with the lynx!!  We were warned not to touch her as she would 'turn' immediately if we did, and to back off if she huffed at us.  But she wound herself round my legs and seemed very interested in us!  It was really difficult to NOT touch her!  But I didn't.  When she jumped for meat on the end of a pole she landed on me ... twice!! I thought the first time "this is going to hurt!" but she didn't try to get purchase on my legs, thankfully!  She did huff a couple of times when my friend got a bit too close with the camera, but Fraser was on hand to gently nudge her away.

Petra (the lynx) was trained for film work so she's used to humans, but she is not tame.

Here's Petra's gallery on the WHF site: http://www.whf.org.uk/catgallery.cfm?gid=64&id=37 (http://www.whf.org.uk/catgallery.cfm?gid=64&id=37)

Hopefully I'll be able to post a few piccies taken by my friend soon, along with a couple he took of me petting one of the tigers!  ;D

Title: Re: Shut in with a big cat!
Post by: JackSpratt on June 27, 2009, 10:03:13 AM

Oh wow - I am officially jealous! :)

Title: Re: Shut in with a big cat!
Post by: clarenmax on June 27, 2009, 15:53:13 PM

I'm very jealous, that must have been amazing  :wow:

Title: Re: Shut in with a big cat!
Post by: Bazsmum on June 27, 2009, 16:02:06 PM

OO you lucky devil, that must of been awsome!  :wow:

Title: Re: Shut in with a big cat!
Post by: Mollyrock on June 27, 2009, 20:25:03 PM

Oh my gaaaawwwd  :wow: how wonderful!!!! I love that last pic, just look at those teeth  ;D

Title: Re: Shut in with a big cat!
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on June 28, 2009, 01:48:25 AM

Petra is stunning  ;D

Title: Re: Shut in with a big cat!
Post by: tab on June 28, 2009, 11:13:46 AM

Wow that must have been amazing!!!
Petra is lovely if a little scary  :evillaugh:
love
Tab

Title: Re: Shut in with a big cat!
Post by: Wibblechick on June 28, 2009, 11:21:17 AM

What an incredible experience  :briggin: 

Im trying hard not to be envious (and failing ..... :shy:)

Title: Re: Shut in with a big cat!
Post by: Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) on June 29, 2009, 09:53:01 AM

I am soooooooooo jealous!!!!! I love lynxes!

Title: Re: Shut in with a big cat!
Post by: JackSpratt on June 29, 2009, 10:33:46 AM

I've actually been offered the opportunity to go tagging lynx in the future with a family friend. :)

Title: Re: Shut in with a big cat!
Post by: Leanne on June 29, 2009, 16:15:59 PM

OMG, someone my husband works with did the big cat encounter for his Wife's 40th birthday we've been looking for the website for days as we've not been at work and you've just given me the link, I am desperate to do this for my 30th next year.

can't wait to see your pics