Williow
Willow is the daughter of our Bajrami and Kikay at Wingham Wildlife Park and was born on 1 July 2017 so is 8 years old. She was bred as part of the co-ordinated breeding programme. She arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary (BCS) in 2017 after being injured whilst in her enclosure with her two brothers. A decision was taken by the team at Wingham that having all three cubs back with mum could be hazardous as Kikay might be overly protective of Willow due to her injury. Willow had physically recovered from her fractured front paw by the time she arrived at the Sanctuary – it was a few confidence issues and familiarisation that needed attention. She is such a happy and content young lady and loves to purr very LOUD.
Willow has a breeding recommendation with our two cheetah brothers Mo and Bolt – whichever of them she likes the most!
Neron
Neron came to the Sanctuary as part of the breeding programme for jaguars. Neron was born at Artis Zoo in Amsterdam on 28th June 2017, so he is 8 years old. He was about 18 months old on arrival at The BCS back in November 2018 as part of the co-ordinated breeding programme. On arrival he was shy, and it took a few weeks for him to come out of his shell, but we realised very quickly that he was a gentle natured boy. Just over a year later he was joined by Keira, his breeding partner.
It was virtually love at first sight; the couple were inseparable. They cuddled and groomed each other every single day, it wasn’t long before we knew we would be welcoming the pitter-patter of little paws. And just like that Neron became a dad as his daughter Inka was born. He is now back on a breeding programme but this time with the other black jaguar Maya. He is an outstandingly handsome jaguar and a chatty boy loved by all who meet him.
Kasanga
Kasanga arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary from Woburn Safari Park in April 2017. He was born on 1st September 2009 and so is nearly 16 years old. He’d begun his life in the circus and had already sired cubs. His majestic posing and outstanding looks are complemented by a very warm and cheeky nature. He steals the hearts of all who meet him! It’s unusual for Kasanga not to greet visitors to his enclosure by getting up to see what’s happening, or to check out if there just maybe a treat coming his way. On his hind legs, Kasanga stands at an incredible height – towering over our tallest guests yet retaining his gentle manner when taking hand feeds. He’s also proved himself to be quite the cover boy – he is as photogenic as he is handsome, one truly magnificent lion! He is the heaviest and loudest cat at the BCS.
Luca
Luca was one of two cubs born at Banham Zoo on 7 October 2021 to parents Mishka and Kuzma, the result of a breeding recommendation to support the Amur tiger captive breeding programme (EEP) and is 3 years old.
His story was slightly unusual. This Amur tiger family were living perfectly as a family: Mum, Dad and sibling cubs Luca and Kira. Sadly, dad Kuzma had to be put to sleep after a heart failure diagnosis, but Mishka continued to live with her two cubs.
Then, only a couple of months after Kuzma passed away Mishka gave birth to another litter of cubs! This was a wonderful legacy for Kuzma, but it did mean that Luca needed to be moved more quickly than usual.
In the short-term he was moved to Banham’s sister park, Africa Alive. But The Big Cat Sanctuary were delighted to be told we could have Luca join the Sanctuary’s cat family in July 2023.
From the moment he arrived Luca took everything in his stride and he’s loving life at the Sanctuary. He is totally adorable! Luca is very boisterous and loves nothing more than to play with his toys his favourite being a plastic barrel.
