The Bobcat and Caracal Story
I really haven't given a great deal of thought to the plight of the abandoned circus animals and misunderstandings between humans and betwixt man and beast since reading John Irving's "Avenue of Mysteries". Wherein a profoundly deprived 'Dump Child', Lupe with a medical condition is revered for her uncanny insights. Unfortunately, she tests her supernatural gifts and is eaten by an abused circus lion. The lion simply did not understand anger transference issues. Nor, did it appreciate human cognition.
My only personal experiences with wild animals occurred when I was six years old. A wealthy eccentric couple in Belmont Heights near St. Barts mistakenly cut loose an ocelot pet. Thus ending my expensive and protective private grammar school education.
The only other slightly remarkable experience with wildlife occurred with my older son Mark when he was around three-years old. We visited the Japanese Deer Park near Knotts Berry Farm. The park invited children and their parents to an enclosed pen to feed the deer. Inside the pen was an old fashioned bubble gum dispenser that contained deer treats for a quarter.
As I turned the handle after placing the quarter in the machine the noise triggered a deer stampede. I was able to put Mark on my shoulders until the caretakers arrived and we were transported to an emergency hospital where I was treated for a broken toe and other minor abrasions. By the way, you can't do much to treat a hairline fracture of the big toe--it just hurts for weeks. Subsequently, the deer park was shut down for health reasons and lack of funds.
Okay, so back to present. I renewed my interest in the exotic pet problem yesterday when I watched the above linked caption of National Geographic Wild, The Grumpy Bobcat and Caracal. It's about two abandoned old and grumpy exotic pets who became pals, (sort of ). Sweet story until the grumpy de-clawed bobcat got a little too weird due to age-related illnesses and the grumpy de-clawed caracal resorted to his wild animal instincts and freaked out on him. Because that's what wild animals do.
That's why people who buy or trade in exotic animals are the scum of the earth. Please consider donating to verified worthy causes for the protection of abused wild animals and to stop the exotic trade market.
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