Preview of Outdoor Expo provided at Chamber

CHIPLEY – Guests at the Washington County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Third Thursday breakfast got a preview of the upcoming Outdoor Expo and Gun and Knife Show at the Washington County Ag Center on Saturday and Sunday – three big cats from the Bear Creek Feline Center in Bay County.

Roger Newsome, Jim Broaddus and Mike Myers from the center were on hand with Zulu the African cerval, Chaos the western cougar and Lucy the bobcat.

Animals from the center will be among the live animal events at the expo, including presentations from Seacrest Wolf Preserve in Washington County, Save Our American Raptors-South and Big Bend Wildlife Sanctuary in Altha.

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Zulu was born at the center on May 29 and is about half grown. Cervals can reach up to 40 pounds. The cerval is native to an area west of Kenya and was prized in ancient Egypt. Many ancient statues of the cat have been found in Egyptian explorations.

Myers said that Cervals can jump 10-12 feet and catch birds in flight. They live on birds, small mammals and even insects. “They are not very domestic and we don’t endorse them as pets,” Myers said.

In fact, the staff at Bear Creek does not endorse any big cat as a pet. Florida law is strict about keeping such animals, requiring 1,000 hours of training and a year’s experience, as well as having at least five acres of property. There is also a considerable amount of certification and inspection, including surprise inspection involved.

“Florida has a model program,” Myers said.

Chaos was obtained from an owner in the Midwest and is small for her age due to poor care when she was young. She is eight months old and weighs about 35 pounds. Newsome said she will probably remain small, although cougars can reach between 180-250 pounds at maturity.

“They are supposed to be the strongest cat for their size,” Newsome said, and can jump as high as 12 feet straight up. They can range up to 250 miles in the wild and usually avoid people.

Cougars are not meant as pets, Myers said. “They are companions and they bond to families,” he said. “They are not good around children.” Myers said that unless a household is willing to make “a 20-year commitment,” don’t even consider having a cougar. He still doesn’t recommend obtaining one.

Cougars only live about 6-8 years in the wild but can live up to 20-22 years in captivity due to better diet and lack of predators, including man. Saving the cougar and other rare cats is a challenge best met by private organizations like Bear Creek, as zoos do a poor job of breeding these animals, Newsome said.

“The more private the better, he said.

Lucy is six months old and could grow to up to 35 pounds. Bobcats are plentiful and are in no danger of extinction. They are found in 47 of the 50 state, Myers said. They are very elusive, very quick, “and they are definitely not a pet,” he said. “They are masters of survival.”

For information on the center go to www.bearcreekfelinecenter.org or call (850) 722-9927.

Outdoor Expo

The Outdoor Expo and Gun and Knife Show, sponsored by Washington County Chamber of Commerce, will be held Nov. 21-22 at the Washington County Ag Center in Chipley. Hours are Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.

Visitors will enjoy a variety of demonstrations, exhibitions, wildlife taxidermy display and even live animal shows. Attendees will have access to the premier Gun & Knife Show featuring a select group of vendors with handguns, rifles, knives, ammunition, and holstering equipment will be on hand.

There will be plenty of hands-on-activities for children, including BB gun, archery and casting contests, woodcraft activities and lots of food and refreshments and prizes.

Admission is $5 per person per day or $8 for both days, includes admission into the Gun & Knife Show. Kids under age 12 admitted free of charge. All proceeds help support the Chamber’s mission of economic development and business growth. For information call (850) 638-4147.