• The Huakanqui Wildlife Rescue Center will inform visitors of the reasons wild animals, and cats, in this case, do NOT make good pets. Some of the main reasons:
• Big cats, even those born in captivity, do not lose their wild instincts. They are potentially dangerous to people and to other animals.
• They require significant space, and Bolivia has now set minimum standards for enclosures of 100m2, or 1052 sq. ft.
• As true carnivores, they require lean meat - as much as 2 - 3 lbs. daily for cougars and jaguars - a big expense over time.
• Some of them never become sociable toward humans, no matter if they are captive born and remain in captivity their entire lives.
• As intelligent creatures, they require intellectual stimulation or they become bored and restless and potentially destructive to themselves and their habitats.
• They require a significant investment in the enclosures that house them.
• Finding a vet to treat a big cat may be a big challenge.
• NATURE INTENDED THEM TO BE WILD!

Additionally, we plan to offer educational programs to school children and communities that teach people not only the reasons big cats should not be pets but also their conservation status and the need for top predators. And we intend to open the rescue center to veterinary students and technicians who wish to learn about big cats. There is currently no other wildlife rescue center in Bolivia that offers such training.