Wild Cats: Past & Present

Featuring stunningly beautiful full-color photography, Wild Cats Past & Present is a nonfiction guide about the many fascinating and resourceful wild feline species found throughout the globe, from lions, tigers, jaguars and cheetahs to pumas, bobcats, and lynx, to diminutive wild species scarcely bigger than a domestic cat such as the black-footed cat, the fishing cat or Pallas' cat. A brief passage concerning domestic and feral cats is included, including the sadly devastating effect feral cats have had on the indigenous wildlife of some areas (notably Australia) and the positive influence of trap-neuter-release programs as a humane alternative to controlling feral cat numbers. Perhaps most valuable is the important lesson that wild cats are not pets; even a small ocelot is a wild beast first and foremost, and should not be owned by private citizens. Though intended for young adults, the lavishly photographed Wild Cats Past & Present is a treat for cat lovers of all ages. Highly recommended, especially for children's library collections.