Ambassador Footy - black footed cat (R.I.P.)

Footy, was one of the two ambassador Black Footed Cats at our Spotted Cats Conservation Project in SA. Luckily we could rescue both black-footed cats from traps. Only Footy is missing a big part of his left leg. Luckily he manages well and is still enjoying his life. Safe now, no more traps!

All about black footed cats

Black-footed Cats are typical nocturnal cats. During daytime you can hardly see them, or hidden away, but later in the afternoon, in the evening, night and early morning they display natural behaviour. Our ambassadors Blacky and Footy, saved from gin-traps, behave naturally and seem to have settled in perfectly.

November 14th 2013 – Today we had to let our brave little black footed cat Footy go…he suffered from FELV, which his immune system sadly couldn’t fight. Luckily Beauty was tested negative today, and we hope also Blacky didn’t get affected. He will …firstly be tested before being introduced to our Diva. Footy was succesfully rescued from a gintrap and even though one leg had to be amputated he thrived well in our project, until this disastrous moment. he could have the virus already from the wild…..Footy’s death wouldn’t be in vain, we want to learn and so the black footed cat society needs to learn all about the virus and his sad passing. We will never forget him…..all hope is focused on Beauty now, who is carrying his kittens. She will be pampered until the big moment, but still much too early to cheer. Fingers crossed and lots of prayers are needed!

R.I.P. sweet Footy – we will never forget you. We hope “the wonder” will keep on growing inside Beauty and that you will live on through your healthy legacy.

Footy chasing insects

Gorgeous Blacky taking a break

“Hey how are you?”

The wild cats come to live in the dark hours…..in the average zoo they lock up the cats around this hour when they finally like to act naturally……like in the wild.

Learning so much just by observing….but you must be patient and have true love for the cats.

Footy hunting for snacks

They are not bothered by the spotlight…..but you must sit very calm and no sudden movements. Only then you can observe the black footed in this great way.

Favourite spot for both boys, in the pipe, though they usually sit there during daytime.

Natural look, looking for good camouflage and hide-away in the bushes.

Getting a bit sleepy after all action

Alert again…..

Most surprising was the fact that the two boys really look for each other’s company and display no aggression towards each other at all.

While observing the different species of wild cats you always discover not everything is like written in “the books”. You can only learn by observing yourself.

Love this picture: Blacky (left) and Footy (right). Two wonderful ambassadors of their critically endangered wild species. Soon female Beauty will be introduced to one of them…..also a victim of gin-traps.