2012-03-14 Carole Diary

Carole Baskins Diary

Two Blind Baby Bobcats

By now you have probably heard about the two blind baby bobcats at the sanctuary. If not, Rufus came into the Carolina Wildlife Rescue in a coma and with a broken jaw. Jamie has helped them with bobcat rehab before so they originally contacted us for advice in Dec 2011. By Feb 14, 2012 it was clear that Rufus had become too imprinted for release and his eyesight had still not recovered. Through a big Valentine's Day effort we were able to secure his release from South Carolina and his import into Florida through both wildlife agencies.

Then on Mar 5, 2012 we got a call from the Florida Wildlife Commission reporting a blind bobcat at a mine in Center Hill, FL. You can read all about her rescue and see photos here: http://bigcatrescue.org/2012/today-at-big-cat-rescue-mar-8-name-the-bobcat-kitten

If she regains her sight, we would love to be able to return her to her rightful place in the wild and the mine manager has agreed to let her come back to what he refers to as his "wildlife sanctuary." The mine is many, many acres of natural bobcat habitat and is truly a sanctuary to many wild animals. If she does not regain her sight, or if the intensive care she needs during this interim makes her too dependent for release, then she will hopefully be a playmate for Rufus.

We have had other cats who were blind, such as Will the bobcat. Like Rufus, his eyes are just fine and quite beautiful, but what they see does not register in their brains. If you have ever fed Will or watched him for any length of time, it is apparent that he does not process the information coming in through his senses like a normal cat. He and Anasazie provide comfort to each other and have been great companions.

If you have been here a long time, you may remember Axel the tiger who grew deaf and blind as he aged. His keepers would stomp the ground near his lockout at feeding time to wake him and let him know that dinner was served. Others will recall Czar and Nakita the bobcats and lynx hybrid who grew old together here. As Czar aged, he too became deaf and blind. Nakita made a permanent impression on all of our hearts as she would lean up against him, shoulder to shoulder, to lead him into his lockout at feeding time.

There is probably no cat more self reliant, opportunistic or fierce than the bobcat, and yet the compassion shown by cats like Anasazie and Nakita are a great example to us. We have enemies, but they are all outside our gates. Nothing makes me more proud than to see all of our staff, volunteers and interns working together for a common cause. We have made it through the worst of times for big cats and are poised to end the suffering once and for all by passing the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act. If you haven't signed your name to this most important bill yet, please do so at www.BigCatsAct.com

I've been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story. The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story. My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.

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Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.