Three months ago, the emaciated cat was freed from a wooden box in a car and cared for at a shelter in Munich. In mid-May, the puma refused the first transport attempt to Styria – but now it worked and the graceful wild cat finally has a new home! On Thursday morning, curiously enough, he took up residence in the eastern Styrian animal kingdom Herberstein, the “Krone” was live there. Now the cougar can recover from the hardships before he can get to know his new partner.
Shy, but visibly curious, Puma “Pele” wanders through his new enclosure at Herberstein Zoo and sniffs everything. “He catches the scent of his new partner, he breathes very calmly. The first impression is very good,” says Reinhard Pichler, Head Veterinarian in Herberstein.
The relief of the whole team is great: after “Pele” typically made a cat in mid-May and did not want it in the transport box, the transfer from Munich to Eastern Styria has now been a success. The martyrdom of the noble predatory cat is over, now the illegally bred animal has finally found a home.
First sniff with the new partner
“‘Pele’ is now being nursed back to health with us, he should definitely gain weight and we will be keeping a close eye on him,” explains the vet. “Pele” will spend the first day in a small separate enclosure, then he will be moved to a larger outdoor enclosure, where he can get up close and personal with his new partner “Missoula” through the fence. “If he’s settled in and everything works, he’ll be released into the large common enclosure in about a week,” Pichler says.
Ten-year-old Puma lady “Missoula” looked carefully at “Peles” and “commented” him with a hesitant meow. She has been living alone in the cougar enclosure for about six months after her partner “Seal” passed away. How she will get along with “Pele” is yet to be estimated. “It’s just like with house cats: sometimes they like each other right away, sometimes it takes a while,” laughs zookeeper and district manager Hannes Harmtodt.
Saving from a dramatic fate
For “Pele” it must be the first contact with a congener and also the first time in an outdoor enclosure. His age is estimated at about five years, details about his past life are unknown. In mid-March, police officers in Upper Palatinate, Germany, discovered the emaciated and distressed animal locked in a wooden box inside a car. It is suspected that he came from an illegal wildlife farm in Slovenia and was then delivered from the Czech Republic to Germany, where he is believed to have lived in a cage as a pet.
Now “Pele” will soon be able to move in a 3,500 square meter country retreat with lush vegetation, rocks and climbing opportunities. “We have won the contract from several zoos because we can offer ‘Pele’ a species-appropriate and large enclosure – and a partner,” explains Herberstein spokeswoman Karin Winkler.
godparents for Pele sought
Upon arrival, the wild velvet paw gets plenty of rest to settle in and get to know its new home. In a week or two, visitors may be able to see him with “Missoula” in the large outdoor enclosure. And who knows, if the harmony between the two is good, there could soon be Puma offspring in Herberstein…
By the way, sponsors are still being sought for “Pele”, interested parties can contact Herberstein Zoo.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
