AboutJonathan Wright Expertise I can answer questions about wild mammals, as well as other wild animals. I can also answer questions on extinct animals and zoos.
I do not have expertise in animal medicine and care and cannot give advice on veterinary problems. Please contact a wildlife veterinarian or a wildlife charity or organisation if you find an injured wild animal. Please do not take wild animals out of the wild. This can be illegal and also very cruel, especially if you do not know how to look after the animal.
I do not agree with fights between different animals. Please do not ask me questions about them.
Experience I have a zoology degree and have been interested in animals since I was two years old. I am a zoo volunteer at London Zoo. I have appeared on a BBC Radio Quiz, 'Wildbrain'.
Organizations World Wide Fund for Nature. Zoological Society of London. London Bat Group.
Publications Newsletters of London Zoo volunteers and the London Bat Group
Education/Credentials BSC degree in Zoology. 'A' levels in Zoology and Chemistry. 'O' Level in Biology.
Expert: Jonathan Wright Date: 8/7/2008 Subject: Working with Big Cats
Question I want to work with Big Cats as a Career. I want to be a Professional Surrogate Mother specilizing in Big Cats. Could you tell me how I would get started? Where to go, What to do. I just want to be one of those people that Hand-Raise Big Cat Cubs until they get old enough to go to some Big Cat Sancutary. Thanks!! Sara =^.^=
Answer Dear Sara
Thanks for your question.
I suggest that you contact a Big Cat Sanctuary for advice on this matter. I'm worried that you have chosen a very specific career and, while I can advise you to take a course in zoology or, more appropriately, wild animal husbandry, I wonder if you have much chance of achieving your goal. I do zoo volunteering at London Zoo and, as in many other zoos, the big cats are very popular. Unfortunately, once a big cat goes into captivity, there is very little scope for it to return to the wild. You would probably be hand rearing the cubs to move somewhere else in captivity. Please note that many countries forbid zoos and the like from feeding live vertebrates to animals, so that big cats are not trained to hunt wild animals. This means that they could associate people with food.
A few days ago, I read an article about tigers being tamed in Thailand, so that vistors could touch them. I'm not too sure about the viability of such schemes. I have heard of several cases where big cats have killed keepers. If you pursue your dream, you must take the risks into account.
Please look at the following websites about Big Cat Sanctuaries before deciding whether to pursue your goal. It may be better to get a job and use some of your wages to help a sanctuary.
