Claws Against Bars

The paw of an adult male jaguar (Panthera onca). He was a heavy set cat; if he were a human he would be a boxer.

I took this photograph (and hundreds of others) at the WHF Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent. To be honest, it was probably the most wonderful day of my life. It took me a lot of effort to get there, but it was worth it by far. I would have stayed all night if I could..A one year old female Amur tiger cub took me surprise (startled me momentarily) and looked me straight in the eyes...I looked into her blue-green eyes and saw a deepness there. She also made a chuff sound (which is a greeting), I have plenty of photos of her. People say that animals do not have feelings or emotions; well they do, and they probably have more than most people.

This particular jaguar was social enough...however from a breeding point of view he is difficult as he attacks females (and other jaguars)..The female black jaguar in the adjacent cage was savaged by him in the past. Although that does not put her off; she was flirting and rolling in front of him (with the mesh in between). I imagine captivity does make these animals behave in peculiar ways. However it is necessary when such species need to be protected and are endanger of extinction. WHF aims to breed animals for eventual release into the wild.