General information
In early December 1992, the Pantera Big Cat Rescue Center was founded in Oldeberkoop, Netherlands with the arrival of our first tiger, Ruby. Since that time, Pantera has provided shelter and rehabilitation for more than 250 carnivores, large (tigers, lions, leopards, bears, wolves) and small (raccoons, skunks, genets, civets). Since 1994, we have specialized in exotic felines, particularly lions, tigers, and leopards, from which we derive our foundation’s name.
Because we are a private facility, we rely solely on donations to feed, maintain, build facilities and care for our cats. Our staff consists of a dedicated team of volunteers that believe in the mission of Pantera: rescue, research, rehabilitation and reintroduction.
Rescue
Our primary mission is to provide a home for cats that through irresponsible breeding, physical disabilities, or behavioral issues are in danger of euthanasia. Facilities often have too many cats, either through conscious over breeding for profit or poor birth control. Animals that have physical disabilities or deformities cannot be ‘display’ animals in zoos and circuses. Some cats do not respond well to the sounds, sights, and visitors of a traditional zoo, and present stereotypic behavior. These are the animals that need the shelter and behavioral rehabilitation that Pantera can provide.
Research
Research has always been a primary focus of Pantera, with the goal of finding new ways to improve the health and mental well-being of captive carnivores. With our own cats, we have discovered that eliminating the stress of visitors/public has reduced stereotypic behavior by 60%. Following this result, we have remained a private center, limiting the number of guests, and designing habitats that reduce the detrimental effect of too many visitors.
Rehabilitation
After behavioral rehabilitation, we attempt to find homes for animals in new facilities. Our animals have been placed at zoos all over the world, from China to Sweden, Denmark to Pakistan, Spain to Jugoslavia. Our commitment to these animals is life long, and through facility checks and regular status updates, we monitor their well being. We also provide advice about behavioral management and husbandry to any carnivore facility seeking to improve their knowledge and level of care.
Reintroduction
A long term plan of Pantera is to use our knowledge of big cat behavior to create a reintroduction program for depleted wild cat populations. The first goal is to repatriate captive-born big cats to secure reserves in their native lands. Through careful breeding and behavioral rehabilitation, the hope is to provide a new source of genetic diversity if the wild population reaches extinction level numbers. It will also provide data on the viability of reintroduction of captive-born big cats. These facilities will also provide capture and release services for nuisance carnivores, and education for local human populations on wildlife and conservation.
The Future
With 18 years of knowlege supporting us, we are now ready to take big cat care to the next level. We are in search of a serious partner to create an innovative, animal-centered habitat design, we have the opportunity to spread the philosophy of Pantera to a wider audience. Our planned facility minimizes the impact of visitors through one way glass, sunken pathways, and strategic landscaping. Private tours, training workshops, and educational presentations are just a few of the possibilities at this new facility. We also have plans to expand, including a unique obstacle course, with changeable elements and training opportunities to promote natural behavior.
Our focus will remain on the welfare of our animals, and being at the forefront of research in captive carnivore care. By opening our doors to visitors, we will be able to better educate about big cats, conservation and how individual choices effect wildlife.
