Protecting the Big Cats
Throughout the years, the look of the historic
Kovler Lion House has changed, but the sounds, the echoing roars
of the exotic cats housed here, have remained the same.
Big cats have long been surrounded by a special
mystique mingled with fear and respect. Most are solitary hunters, sitting
at the top of many food pyramids with few predators except man.
Cats like snow leopards
and Siberian tigers
have been hunted into near extinction, victims of their own beauty and humans'
desire for their coats. Athletic, agile hunters, big cats have evolved with
specific physical adaptations for catching large prey. Incredible night
vision and striped, spotted or otherwise camouflaged coats that allow them
to blend into their surroundings enable them to stalk and surprise prey.
While cats have adapted to a variety of habitats from snowy tundras to parched
grasslands, they are now facing encroaching human population and habitat
destruction virtually everywhere. For many big cats, zoos and captive breeding
programs are their only hope. |
Lions have
long been a part of Lincoln Park Zoo history. African lions were first exhibited
here in the late 1800's and over the years, hundreds of cubs have been born
here. The lion is the most social of the big cats, generally living in large
groups called prides. Adult males rarely participate in hunting, leaving
the task to females who, without the majestic mane, are less conspicuous.
Protecting territory and the other members of his pride is the chief duty
of the male lion.
The fastest animals on land, cheetahs can run up to 60 miles per
hour. They may stalk prey for a few seconds or several hours until they
are within 100 feet and the chase begins. Cheetahs have limited endurance
and need enough natural cover to hide and stalk effectively. These endangered
cats are native to Africa.
Unlike many of its feline relatives, the jaguar is not a sprinter,
but has the distinction of being a better swimmer than most cats. It will,
in fact, follow its prey into water, making a catch while swimming. Native
to tropical rainforest areas of Central and South America, jaguars are endangered.
The smallest cats in the Lion House, servals are the best jumpers,
with the ability to leap more than six feet in order to catch birds. Their
long legs and neck help them find food as they peer out across the tall
grass of their home in African savannas. In addition to their tremendous
leaping ability, servals are excellent climbers and will climb when threatened. |
|
Species Data Sheets:
|