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The Feline Conservation Federation (FCF) has put together a great pamphlet identifying some misleading wildcat myths and the fascinating facts that dispel them. The pamphlet even includes legendary wildcat details.

At the bottom of this post you’ll find a link to the pamphlet (Wildcats: Facts, Legends, and Myths.) Here is a sampling of its content:

Myth: “All white tigers descend from one tiger and are highly inbred.”

The Fact of the Matter: The National and Cincinnati Zoos did inbreed the first white tigers. Since then, however, the recessive white gene has been bred into many orange Bengal tigers. As a result, today’s white tigers are healthier and more genetically diverse than ever before.

Myth: Ocelots are extremely endangered.

The Fact of the Matter: According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the ocelot is a species of least concern. Ocelots are native to South America, Central America, and Mexico. Because only a small fraction of their habitat crosses over into southern Texas, they are mistakenly considered endangered in the U.S.

Myth: Wildcats cannot be tamed.

The Fact of the Matter: If a wildcat is raised with love, they can exhibit tameness and develop friendly, affectionate relationships with humans. Many wildcats have the endearing and mysterious potential to be both wild animal and a friend to humans.

Myth: Private ownership of wildcats is unnecessary.

The Fact of the Matter: Zoos can only do so much – they are limited by the number of cage spaces at their facility. There are several precious cat species that at some point in the near future will no longer be kept in zoos. (These species include the jaguarundi, Geoffroy’s cat, leopard cat, Eurasian lynx, Bengal tiger, African and Asian leopards, bobcat, and jungle cat.) Private ownership is actually crucial to wildcat preservation – soon only private conservationists will be able to house and protect these species.

Myth: Cougar sightings in new areas are most likely escaped pets.

The Fact of the Matter: Cougars have been known to travel incredible distances in order to find enough prey, cover, and core habitat suitable for breeding and raising cubs. One wild cougar that was radio-collared in South Dakota traveled 700 miles to Red Rock, Oklahoma!

For more myths, facts, and legends, allow yourself a moment to take in the sweet Geoffroy’s cat & kittens on the cover of this pamphlet, and then dig in to Wildcats: Facts, Legends, & Myths!

Seek truth! The more myths we can dispel, the better we can help to protect wildcats of all kinds.

Info & photos courtesy of

• www.felineconservation.org
• www.lionwhisperer.co.za
• Google images