Name: Gato Species: Puma (Puma concolor)
Age: approximately 10 years old
Gato was originally caught in the mountains of Chile when he was 2 months old. After his mother was killed by hunters, he was sold on to a Bolivian circus, where he spent a year in captivity at a very small cage and as a pay per view sideshow. Gato was then trained to jump through hoops of fire. When he failed to perform he was beaten. The repeated beatings led to broken back legs.
Due to a lack of proper nourishment (he received only milk and bread), medical attention, exercise and an appropriate cage, Gato developed a calcium deficiency leading to a severe lack of growth. Gato's head and paws are disproportional to the rest of his body. Now mature, he is about half the size he should be.
In February 1997 a circus passed by Villa Tunari and several children from the village informed Juan Carlos and Nena about monkeys and parrots that were being mistreated there. The police were alerted and they went to the circus to attempt a confiscation of the animals. The circus denied having monkeys and a search was performed. While walking through the cages they passed by a cage containing a young puma. By the time he arrived at the park he couldn't walk or stand up properly and was quite aggressive.
A Canadian volunteer named Susie worked with him, intending to stay for two weeks. She stayed there for nine months, refusing to leave till Gato was fully recovered. Thanks to her hard work, patience and the medication, gradually he started walking again and today he can run, chase and even jump on trees. He likes to walk so much that his trails are longer than any of the other cats (about 10 km) and considered to be the most beautiful ones as well! He is recovered, but sadly, he will never be able to return to the wild. Having spent his first years in captivity his ability to hunt and kill his own food never properly developed.
Gato was the first cat to arrive to the refuge. His real name is Nene (named after Nena) but he was given the nickname "Gato" because of his calm temperament.
In November 2005 a new and much bigger cage was been built for him. This was possible thanks to few volunteers. Annabelle & Stuart who returned to the park especially for this project (and stayed almost 2 years, but that's another story) and a couple of volunteers who extended their stay just for Gato's new cage.
Due to a lack of proper nourishment (he received only milk and bread), medical attention, exercise and an appropriate cage, Gato developed a calcium deficiency leading to a severe lack of growth. Gato's head and paws are disproportional to the rest of his body. Now mature, he is about half the size he should be.
In February 1997 a circus passed by Villa Tunari and several children from the village informed Juan Carlos and Nena about monkeys and parrots that were being mistreated there. The police were alerted and they went to the circus to attempt a confiscation of the animals. The circus denied having monkeys and a search was performed. While walking through the cages they passed by a cage containing a young puma. By the time he arrived at the park he couldn't walk or stand up properly and was quite aggressive.
A Canadian volunteer named Susie worked with him, intending to stay for two weeks. She stayed there for nine months, refusing to leave till Gato was fully recovered. Thanks to her hard work, patience and the medication, gradually he started walking again and today he can run, chase and even jump on trees. He likes to walk so much that his trails are longer than any of the other cats (about 10 km) and considered to be the most beautiful ones as well! He is recovered, but sadly, he will never be able to return to the wild. Having spent his first years in captivity his ability to hunt and kill his own food never properly developed.
Gato was the first cat to arrive to the refuge. His real name is Nene (named after Nena) but he was given the nickname "Gato" because of his calm temperament.
In November 2005 a new and much bigger cage was been built for him. This was possible thanks to few volunteers. Annabelle & Stuart who returned to the park especially for this project (and stayed almost 2 years, but that's another story) and a couple of volunteers who extended their stay just for Gato's new cage.
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