The Majestic World of Big Cats

Big cats. Sleek, powerful, mysterious, captivating, all good words to describe members of this widespread family of animals. These amazing creatures are thought about the world over as the pinnacle of predators and with all big cats being apex predators (the top of the food chain) this line of thought would be proven correct. All have inspired stories, myths and legends and it’s not hard to see why, from the king of the jungle to the shadow cat – all dominate their environments with grace and strength.

The term “big cat” refers to the five largest species of the Felidae family. This includes lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, and snow leopards. Although there are only five big cat species there are many more cat species including cheetah, puma, caracal, Geoffroy’s cat, serval, and lynx, just to name a few all of which can be found here at Wingham Wildlife Park.

The Lion (Panthera leo)

Despite its nick name “king of the jungle” lions are actually more at home in the grasslands and savanna of Africa. Being the only true social cats they live in prides, sometimes up to 30 individuals strong with a dominant male that will rule over the pride and sire all of the offspring. Living in prides, lions are able to work cooperatively to implement hunting strategies. They will also roar as a form of communication. These traits have made them one of the most studied and admired carnivores. Currently at Wingham Wildlife Park, we house a 17 year old male lion called Clarence. Having been rescued from a circus with his brother Brutus in 2010 and then coming to Wingham in 2011. I think that he is living his best life in the wonderful Kent countryside.

The Tiger (Panthera tigris)

In contrast to lions that live in prides, tigers like all other cat species are solitary for the majority of their lives. There are currently 6 living subspecies of tiger that can be found in the dense forests and wetlands of Asia including Bengal, Amur, Sumatran, Indo-Chinese, Malayan, and South China tigers. Tigers are the largest of all cats with Amur tigers historically being the biggest, this subspecies can be identified by their pale orange coat and brown stripes. Unfortunately, all subspecies of tigers are now classed as endangered by the IUCN red list and this is due to various threats in their environment such as poaching and habitat loss. Although tigers in the wild are struggling, the three tigers that live at Wingham Wildlife Park are doing very well. 14 year old Bengal hybrid Troy didn’t have the best start to life after being rejected by his mother at birth. However, Wingham was able to take him and his brother Blade in and raise them. Troy now lives alone after the passing of his brother at the end of last year but is doing very well for himself. 7 year old Duke and Tora are also living at Wingham Wildlife Park after their recent move from their old home at Sandwich Wildlife Park, they are still settling in and should be ready to meet the public in the near future.

The Jaguar (Panthera onca)

In the current day, jaguars are the only big cat native to the Americas. They are considered the strongest big cat pound for pound, beating out their larger lion and tiger cousins. They also have a bite force around 1500-1600 psi; this too is the largest of all the big cats. This bite force coupled with their speed, intelligence and aggressiveness allows them to tackle prey more than four times their size including tapir, capybara, turtles, and monkeys, even other predators such as caiman crocodile, and anacondas aren’t off the menu. Although jaguars are the only big cat left in the Americas, they actually only reign over the tropical forests of Central and South America, however they are slowly making a comeback with recent sightings on camera traps in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. This shows the resilience of Mother Nature and these majestic animals being able to overcome many different hurdles to start retaking land that has been lost due to human activities. Here at Wingham Wildlife Park, we look after two jaguars: Loki a golden male, and Luna a black female. Loki and Luna have breed in the past and have had four cubs. This has helped with the breeding program and ensured that their genetics are passed on to future generations.

Leopards (Panthera pardus)

Leopards are a highly adaptable big cat. They can be found in a variety of ranges including Africa and Asia and can thrive in many different habitats from rainforests to deserts. Leopards are excellent at blending into their environments thanks to the rosette pattern found on their coats, not to be confused with jaguars or cheetahs that have different patterns. They are also very strong climbers and will often drag prey into trees to keep it away from scavengers. Currently there are no leopards at Wingham Wildlife Park, but plans move quickly and with expansions on the way, who knows what the future will hold for the carnivore section.

The Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)

Snow leopards are one of the most elusive big cats with excellent camouflage to blend into their environments. They are a symbol of high-altitude wilderness. Being a resident of the Himalayas, snow leopard ranges span across various countries including Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Snow leopards are very well adapted to cold environments, their thick fur keeps them warm in freezing temperatures, and their large paws and long tail help to stabilize them when navigating snowy and mountainous terrain. There are currently no snow leopards housed at Wingham Wildlife Park but just like leopards who knows what the future will hold.

These big cats will all play a vital role in their ecosystems. They maintain the balance and overall health of their habitats, so it is very important that we are able to help in conservation efforts to keep these species around. As top predators, they will regulate populations of herbivores, which in turn shapes the vegetation and biodiversity of their habitats. Sadly, most big cat species are under threat from human activity. Conservation efforts around the world aim to protect their habitats, reduce conflicts with people, and stop illegal poaching.

In the end, big cats are more than just fierce predators—they are symbols of wildness, beauty, and resilience. Protecting them ensures a richer, more balanced planet for all.

By Clayton, Deputy Head of Carnivores