2019-02-02 Carole Baskin’s Diary
NOV 05, 2022
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How Many Big Cats in the U.S.?


In 2004 USDA published the first ever census of tigers in USDA facilities.  This did not include pets, and it was only tigers.  In 2004 there were 4,845 tigers in 666 USDA facilities.


 


USDA never published another census, so from 2004 until 2019 the only way we could update the numbers was based on news stories where a census was mentioned, or from the websites or social posts of the owners.


 


We are able to access some counts via ZIMS which is a product used by AZA accredited zoos and Big Cat Rescue.  The service costs $10,000 a year for managing medical records and the census, so it is not used by private owners or backyard zoos.


 


This sheet represents 15 years of gathering census data and an intensive six month period of organizing it into the best representation possible of the number of big cats in the U.S.  The question on everyone's mind is: How many big cats are in the United States?  The answer is, we still don't know because unless a privately owned big cat makes the news, there is no accurate way to count them.


 


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_cwMh8PmdRUoYjEIN9EgXsVCATWL5Wo5KPKN1EVPzGY/edit?usp=sharing


 


The totals as of January 2019 are, according to what we have been able to document in 814 facilities:


 


Tiger   2642


Lion    393


Leopard 115


Snow Leopard  168


Clouded Leopard   100


Jaguar  10


Cheetah 347


Cougar  277


Bobcat  228


Canada Lynx 69


Caracal 35


Fishing Cat 35


Geoffroy Cat 3


Jaguarundi  10


Jungle Cat  1


Margay  5


Northern Lynx   22


Ocelot  90


Pallas Cat  46


Sand Cat    32


Serval  144


Wildcat 8


Black Footed Cat    37


Hybrid  9


Total cats we know of in cages in the U.S. in Jan of 2019 = 4,826


 


Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and 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.  These are my views and opinions. 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.  


 


You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!


Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile


 


You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org


 


Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue


 


Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk


 

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