What is known is that among the recorded population, puma australia believed to be just a fraction of the total, pumas are both by far the most numerous and the species best adapted to survive at large, being native to most parts of North America, though extirpated from many. Since 1990 Texas has required private owners of potentially dangerous wildlife to obtain a "restricted wild animal" permit. Through 1995, 165 such permits had been issued, covering 244 animals in 84 counties. Among the animals were 147 pumas, 42 African lions, 42 tigers, seven leopards, two hyenas, two timber wolves, a liger (lion/tiger hybrid), and a chimpanzee.
Similar ratios apply to the exotic cats housed by JES Exotics in Illinois, the puma shoes Texas Exotic Feline Foundation, Wildlife Rehabilitation and Rescue, Shambala, Wildlife Waystation, and Wild Animal Orphanage, among other facilities struggling to cope with the numbers, and more big cats turn up needing homes almost daily, often in huge numbers. Exotic puma suede cat breeder/collector Catherine Twiss, for instance, had 85 big cats when her Mississippi and Arkansas facilities were raided in April and May.
The best available statistics are ambiguous. Of about 65 documented puma attacks in the U.S. since 1890, 50 have come since 1970, when wild pumas began receiving state and federal protection in key habitats. Of the 12 fatal attacks, eight came after 1970. But exotic pet-keeping began booming at about the same time. The number of roadside puma womens shoes zoos and private breeding facilities multiplied exponentially during the 1970s, stocked by animals deemed genetically redundant by accredited zoos who after the 1973 passage of the Endangered Species Act began sharply reducing collections and organizing Species Survival Plan breeding protocols.
Nothing bad happened, but of course they are in fear for their lives. These innocent animals, which have never hurt anyone in New Jersey, are being made out to be brutal monsters who will one day kill children." Bear problems are apparently up in New Jersey not because there are more bears, with just 400 in the state, nor because bears lost their fear of humans, as some claim, but rather because a lingering winter made spring food supplies scarce, leaving the small bear population desperate.
Under SB 1033, "The Director of the Department of Natural puma mens shoes Resources shall have exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game." The Michigan House was to vote on the bill on June 19, just after ANIMAL PEOPLE went to press. In Ontario, the Animal Alliance of Canada prepared to fight BEAR HYSTERIA!!! by commissioning a major public opinion survey about six months before moving ahead with a campaign to ban baiting and use of dogs, formally announced on April 16. Interviewing 1,002 Ontarians, Insight Canada Research found in October 1995 that 71% oppose recreational bear hunting in any form; 77% oppose baiting; and 79% oppose promoting hunting to non-Canadians.