Coming from Africa as I do, I know that there are very few – if any – of the ‘big’ wild animals (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah etc) living in the wild. They are at so much threat from urbanisation and poaching that they tend to only be found in large game reserves. They live the same way they would in the wild, but fenced in. The Kruger National Park, for example, is the size of Wales and there is no human intervention apart from sometimes filling up waterholes if drought is severe. It’s staggering to think how many animals live there as they would in the wild.
Sometimes, however, animals have to be kept in sanctuaries – for example Birds of Eden and Monkeyland in South Africa where former pets and medical research animals can live out their lives in peace and as natural an environment as possible. Shamwari, a large safari reserve near where I used to live, takes in former circus and zoo lions and keeps them separately in a large area where they can roam free but can also be looked after from a distance. They grew up in captivity so they cannot be let into the enormous sanctuary with animals that have spent their lives being wild.
I have never enjoyed circuses or zoos, although these days things have changed a great deal from when I grew up. Circuses usually only feature horses, if anything. And zoos can be amazing – look at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney Australia for example.
This is why I love Luna the panther. Luna is a black panther/leopard, born in a travelling zoo in Siberia. Her mother rejected her shortly after she was born but this was not noticed by the zoo for some days. Victoria had previous experience rehabilitating wild animals, so was asked to take care of her. Luna almost didn’t make it and still has multiple health issues so cannot be released into the wild. I have loved watching her grow and interact with her family, especially Rottweiler Venza. Luna is now four years old Many people criticise a wild animal being ‘in captivity’ but Luna would not survive in the wild. Victoria also knew exactly what to feed her, how to deal with her. Even Rottweilers like Venza need specific handling and training. Not all animals are easy to handle and it is important to remember that.
Find Luna on
It seems all panthers belong in the wild. Luna’s path is the result, apparently, of captured panthers a couple of generations back, giving birth to her. Thus, Luna herself was born in captivity… While it’s easy to be drawn to such a beautiful animal, her situation demands she remain in captivity, as she would be unable to survive in the wild. I’m glad we get to enjoy her videos with her Rottweiler pal, but she needs to be seen as a rare exception. Her owners made a huge commitment to look after her every need for the rest of her life – no small task. I thank them for letting us enjoy the treat of these two good friends; Rottie and Panther!
Thank you for this measured comment. Animal lovers often view things in black and white, so it refreshing to see a comment seeing things from both sides.
As you say, some animals cannot be released into the wild for various reasons. This is quite common in South Africa, with animals rescued from circuses over the world. These animals can never live completely in the wild, but they are kept in large camps where they can be as close to the wild as possible, while being looked after from a distance. Shamwari, near my SA home, is an example of this.
I do wish sometimes that content creators with large cats (and other animals) who would not survive in the wild, made it more clear that this is not the norm. They shouldn’t have to do this, but people are ignorant. And sometimes stupid.
Interestingly, cheetah become tame quite quickly, so you have to be careful when rehabilitating them. If they become too used to humans you can’t re-introduce them into a 100% wild situation.
Panthers aren’t pets, this particular one is probably many generations from being wild and is probably somewhere in between tame and domesticated. Either way, social media and videos glorify owning exotic pets. It’s a disgusting industry, parading these videos about is promoting that industry. Just look at the comments of the social media photos and videos, “I want a panther too” dominate the comments.
I found Luna about a month ago, and can’t stop watching her videos. I didn’t understand the backstory though. Thanks for filling us in on how Vicky came to acquire Luna. Also a shout out to her husband who also clearly loves Luna.
Isn’t its tail too long and thick for a leopard ?
I completely love Luna! I had always wanted to have a black panther but since this is not really possible, I have “settled” for a black cat. My house-panther is the silkiest and most ferocious creature (for mice!). Luna was very lucky to have found her human and it’s incredible how well she takes care of her. How I would love to snuggle on her fur, but that might be the last thing I ever do!…
I am so pleased to hear that Luna has survived thus far, long may she continue. I hate hearing about animals suffering, because people consider them dangerous, in my view there is no such thing as a dangerous dog, only bad owners. I would love to learn more about the work that is ongoing in Africa to protect elephants from poachers, can you point me in the right direction?
Interestingly, poaching of elephants is not as big an issue at the moment as the poaching of rhino. The worldwide ban on ivory really made a difference in how attractive elephant horns are on the black market. Of course it still happens, and there are many sanctuaries to take in orphaned calves. But the rhino issue is awful. Asia believes in rhino horn for potency (which is a load of codswallop, but there you go) so rhino are poached every single day for what is ultimately hair. The horn is just keratin, like skin and nails. Measures against that are hiding the rhino, preventively removing the horns, and imposing stricter sentences for poachers. They also have trained anti-poaching dogs, which work in squads.