Andean Mountain Cat fundraiser funds research project / cat links

Only recently photographed for the first time by Jim Sanderson on a field trip privately sponsored by charitable donation, this little furball on legs needs our help and probable intervention NOW if we are not lose forever one of the 36 species of wild cat on planet Earth (Planetus fragilis).

The Andean Mountain Cat photographed by Dr. Jim Sanderson on a field trip in 1998. © Jim Sanderson

A new initiative lead and coordinated by the good professor Mauro Lucherini (Maurissimus linguini) of Milan, Italy, is poised to begin an important investigation into the habitat and biology of this extremely endangered animal as a first step in its conservation and ultimate protection and survival.

The fundraising in the USA is being channeled through the organisation WILD ABOUT CATS, whose world-class work in feline conservation and rescue can be examined at www.wildaboutcats.org where director Dawn Simas will even admit to owning a Jethro Tull (Tullicus dinosaurus) album or two: oh, all right, maybe perhaps just the one. But she quite likes it.

O.K., so why all the Latin names in parenthesis? Well, I have a love for clarity, scientific convention and misplaced humour in any order of preference. And even the Felis jacobita reference should more properly be given as Oreailurus jacobita in the ever-changing world of taxonomy.

DOLLAR PLEDGE

So, now to the serious bit: once your donations - a dollar, ten, twenty or a $100 bill - have passed a thousand bucks, I will match it with a thousand of my own from the songwriting royalties of the Tull album, "Nightcap". This two grand (or more, I hope) will be further added to by a benevolent gent whose name is Charlie Knowles and will provide, along with the money already in the kitty, enough cash to start to save the kitty! You will be able to follow up the progress of Mauro's project via this site in the future and, like me, will know you played a real part in the protection and survival of this tenacious and brave little cat. Your donations will start the chain of funding this important work. All donations over $25 will be published with your name on this website in due course.

stop press 1st March 2001

ANDEAN MOUNTAIN CAT APPEAL REACHES TARGET!

Many, many thanks to all of you listed below for your kind and generous donations to the field study for this extremely endangered cat. And much thanks also to those not listed who gave lesser but significant amounts to bring the total up to the required figure. Special thanks to Charles Knowles whose enormous donation has been so helpful.

The Andean Mountain Cat thanks you too.
© Jim Sanderson

We are now at the end of this particular appeal and the small surplus will go towards another project to radio collar and monitor the habits of the Pallas Cat in Mongolia.

So, no more cash for now, please but there will be other vital projects along the way which we can all support. If you wish to contribute to similar causes in the meantime, then look no further than www.wildaboutcats.org where the list of important fundraising opportunities is regularly updated.

You will find, listed below, some useful links including Jim Sanderson's site which covers his field trip to identify the Andean Mountain Cat and details of some of the other twenty-something (depending on your definition) species of "small" wild cats of the world.

IAN ANDERSON,
JETHRO TULL.

USEFUL CAT LINKS

www.nhm.org/cats/ (Good general wild cat information site)
http://lynx.uio.no/catfolk (IUCN Cat Specialist Group)
www.lioc.org/ (Responsible private breeding and conservation)
www.mtnviewfarms.com/ (Gordon Blankstein's private wildcat
breeding centre)
www.rtec.demon.co.uk/index.htm (Pat and Helen's work with
margays and ocelots)
www.wildlifeeasyst.com
www.c3.lanl.gov/~jgs/SMALL_CATS/cats.html (Jim Sanderson's site)
http://members.aol.com/cattrust (UK wild cat sanctuary and
conservation body)

……and of course: www.wildaboutcats.org (Dawn Simas' team)

I have personally visited several of these facilities and strongly recommend them as a source of information and inspiration.

IA

DONATIONS FROM

Louise and Jennifer Bane
William Mosely
Ray Roehner - Donating 20 "Somewhere In The Universe" Tull Tribute CD's to the first 20 donors, info on his website.
Rita Ashton
David Coursey and Diana Patterson
Scott Mitchell
Holly Webber - Bengal cat breeder contributed $250.
Monica Grobler
Bob Beaulac
Lavon and John Hood
Craig and Kathleen Miller
Mary Balfour
Cindi Rossi
Steve Herrick
Michael Arrowood
Jacques Spahni
John & Nancy Herman
Steven & Kristan Donaghey
Richard Glinn
Patrick Jasper
LeeAnn Taberman
Monica & Mihai Petcu
Thomas Byrnes
Natalie Primak
Patrick Lydon
Steve Piloni
Mark Taylor
Carroll Evertson
Peter Watts and Laurie Channer
Gary Lovell
David Ohmer
Bora Cetin
Bill Eckler
Geir Hansen
Iva Ferris
David Howard