Kalki
Panthera pardus,
japonensis
Kalki is a North Chinese
Leopard. The name Kalki means “Destroyer of the Universe”.
Her personality often
fits her name.
Kalki came to us from a
retired trainer and close friend of the Park Directors, Faye Gordon**,
who was a close personal
friend of Siegfried and Roy.
Siegfried and Roy are known for their
spectacular shows
in Las Vegas and own the
largest collection of White Bengal Tigers in the world.
Roy’s Golden Leopard,
Sasha, was diagnosed with tumors and
she was expected to pass away. Faye purchased Kalki for
Roy
to ease the loss of Sasha. Sasha continued to live
for two more years
during which time Kalki stayed with Faye.
Kalki did not “socialize”
during this time and would not be a workable cat for Roy.
Because of Faye’s failing
health, Kalki needed to be placed in a new home.
Out of all the homes, which Faye could have
chosen, Cat Tales is the place she wanted her “baby” to be.
The directors personally
drove to Faye’s Southern California home to help
Kalki adjust to the change
of scenery and new humans in her
life.
The return trip took 37 hours in the zoo’s van. Who needs a “car
alarm”
when you have a grumpy
leopard to greet the occasional
curious person in the Rest Area as you
travel.
North Chinese Leopards
are larger than Asian Leopards,
their spots and rosettes are smaller in size
and spaced closer
together, their fur is generally longer and darker in color.
Kalki was born in 1992.
North Chinese Leopards
can live to be 20 years old in captivity.
**Faye passed away May 5th,
1997, however, as many keepers here will attest to,
her spirit is here at Cat
Tales with her beloved Kalki.
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