OUR FIRST PROJECT
Keepers of the Wild Nature Park
Valentine, Arizona
Barn for Hodor (Casa Camelot)
Our first project has begun! Hodor the Dromedary Camel at Keepers of the Wild Nature Park in Valentine, AZ. is getting a new barn (a.k.a. Casa de Camelot) which will keep him warm in the winter, and will provide privacy for him when he chooses to have some “alone time.” This is not just any regular barn but one very large structure, because Hodor is a very large animal. You can see the project unfold in our Video section.
Hodor’s barn will have a wood floor, plywood on inside and on the ceiling, will be insulated and will have a steel exterior.
Trees for Tigers is happy to provide a warm shelter for Hodor at this amazing sanctuary. Please visit their website www.keepersofthewild.org. (Project completed Dec. 2017).
Shade Complex
Hodor has a new roommate named Hoover. Hoover is a Bactrian Camel with two humps while Hodor is a Dromedary Camel with one hump. They are getting along very well in their habitat together. With the Arizona heat in the summer along with monsoon storms, Keepers of the Wild is building a shade complex with fencing, gates and feeding stations to keep their food dry. Trees for Tigers is pleased to provide the funds for this new addition to Hodor’s and Hoover’s habitat.
PROJECTS IN THE WORKS FOR 2018
WILDCAT RIDGE SANCTUARY
Scotts Mills, Oregon
In-Ground Swimming Pool
Trees for Tigers will be paying for an in-ground swimming pool for Calvin and Hobbs, two amazing tigers who are so lucky to live at WildCat Ridge. There is much infrastructure to be completed before the pool can be constructed, so this project is scheduled to be completed in 2019.
Hybrid Cat House and Outdoor Habitat
In December 2017 WildCat Ridge began construction of a 12’x24’ insulated and heated building for their hybrid cats. Hybrid cats (i.e. Bengals, Savannahs, and Chausies) are created by crossing a wildcat species with a domestic cat. Hybrid cats do not make good pets due to their wild nature, behavioral problems, and health issues, and WildCat Ridge does not support the breeding of hybrid cats. For more information on hybrid cats, see their website www.wildcatridgesanctuary.org
Since the tiger pool project has been tentatively moved to next year, Trees for Tigers is helping with the hybrid cat project. We have purchased the building and will be paying for most of the materials and habitat enrichment items such as perches, walkways and climbing structures for the inside of the house, as well as a system of platforms, decks, shade structures and bridges throughout the 2000 sq. ft. outdoor habitat with existing vine maple trees. The “labor of love” for this endeavor is being provided by WildCat Ridge staff and their talented volunteers. We can’t wait to see the pictures of this completed habitat – it is sure to be a creative work of art.
Cougar Treehouse
WildCat Ridge plans to expand their cougar enclosures in 2018, and Trees for Tigers would like to build a treehouse for one of the habitats. We are all brainstorming ideas for a natural-looking treehouse that will provide shade and sun, as well as privacy and a high place for a cougar to crawl up to and hang out.
WILD FELID ADVOCACY CENTER OF WASHINGTON
Harstine Island, Shelton, WA
In-Ground Pool
Wild Felid Advocacy Center is planning to build in 2018 an in-ground pool for their two beautiful tigers, Suri and Tabbi. This sanctuary doubles as a botanical garden and provides wonderful scents for their feline residents. Trees for Tigers is happy to provide funds to help make this project a success.
Update July 2018: Suri and Tabbi the tigers will soon welcome a new pool with decks to lounge on. The original plan for an in-ground pool has changed, and an above-ground pool is now planned. The new pool will surely be appreciated by Suri and Tabbi.
Toys, Toys, Toys
With the extra funds that had been budgeted for the in-ground pool, Wild Felids requested some toys for their feline residents. Everyone is excited to see how the cats will react to their new toys soon to be delivered. Habitat enrichment is well evident at Wild Felids with wonderful scents from the botanical garden-like property to the creative and abundant climbing structures and hiding spots for all the felines. Our picture page will soon be showing the happy wild cats playing with their toys.
SAFE HAVEN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Imlay, Nevada
Prototype Swing
The first prototype swing designed by Wildlife Toy Box will be featured at Safe Haven. The large 53” round platform swing is suspended by ropes allowing the animals to climb onto the platform and play with this new toy. We are excited and curious to see how various animals will react to the swing. Pictures and videos will be posted as soon as they are available.
Multi-Level Climbing Platform
Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary has completed a new half-acre habitat for several big cats, and Trees for Tigers provided the funds to build a multi-level climbing platform for shade, lounging, scratching and viewing of the landscape and beautiful snowcapped mountains from the three-level structure. We are all looking forward to seeing some lucky cats enjoying their new habitat soon.
Rock & Waterfall Feature
Safe Haven provides several tigers (and many other species) with a loving home, large enclosures and a swimming pool for each tiger enclosure. So Trees for Tigers has offered to construct a rock formation in an enclosure where a tiger can sleep on a rock, sunbathe on a rock, climb around on rocks, and keep cool and/or hide under a rock. This project is currently in the planning stages, so please stay tuned.
Update July 2018: Coordinating the rock and waterfall feature at Sybre the Tiger’s existing pool has been challenging. But we’re not giving up!
Topsoil and Trees
Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary has begun planting grass and trees in their existing habitats and in a new habitat that is under construction. Since the rock and waterfall feature is still in the planning stages, Trees for Tigers was happy to help with the purchase of topsoil for the grass planting and several large Austrian Pine trees. See the beautiful trees in our Picture page. The sanctuary is looking amazing with the trees and grass growing and those snow-covered mountains in the background.
The WildCat Sanctuary
Sandstone, Minnesota
Catwalks and Rock Caves
The Wildcat Sanctuary’s newly renovated habitat for bobcats and Canadian lynx, called Wildcat Pines, is featuring a large central temperature-controlled building that can be accessed by all of the cats. There are 8 separate habitats surrounding the building (like spokes of a wheel) that provide for separation of the cats as well as their access to the building. Trees for Tigers is excited to help fund this project by providing materials for raised catwalks to allow access in and out of the building and provide a place for bobcats and lynx to hang out when there’s snow on the ground. We also provided the funds for stone-enclosed caves in the habitats. Check out the new innovative and functional design of Wildcat Pines at www.thewildcatsanctuary.org.