Utah Zoo welcomes world’s worst cat

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by joshua lynch

Small but full of energy!

Utah’s Hogle Zoo has welcomed Gaia, an 8-month-old black-footed cat considered the deadliest cat on the planet.

“At just 8 months old, he may be small in size but big in his active personality,” the Salt Lake City-based zoo said in a statement on Dec. 28.

Listed as Africa’s smallest wild cat, this adorable little species is known for its incredible survival ability, with a hunting success rate of 60%, according to Smithsonian Magazine. .

Utah’s Hogle Zoo brought Gaia in for breeding purposes after receiving information from the Black Footed Cat Association.

There are only 29 black-footed felines in the consortium in total, but the zoo believes they will “make a significant contribution to the program” if they are successfully bred.

The Feline Conservation Fund says breeding the nocturnal feline is essential as it is an “endangered species”.

Native to Namibia, south-central Botswana, and South Africa, black-footed cats typically measure about 8 inches long and weigh between 2 and 5 pounds.

The nickname “black paw” comes from the black and dark brown pads, or pads, of the cat’s fur.

Utah’s Hogle Zoo already has another black-footed cat named Rider, Gaia, who is still young and has yet to meet her fellow felines.

Gaia’s arrival comes four months after Hogle Zoo’s record-breaking cat Sanula passed away.

At 18.5 years old, Sanura was the oldest black-footed cat in an accredited zoo.

The zoo announced in September that she died from multiple age-related conditions.

The zoo said, “Sanula was a beloved animal in the small animal wing and will be greatly missed.” She was known for her sassy personality and the glare in her profile that made her look like the perfect “grumpy cat.” Some of her favorite things were taking mud baths, watching turtles from her window, and building burrows in haystacks. ”

Hogle Zoo is home to a variety of animals from diverse ecosystems.

According to its website, the zoo is a nonprofit, accredited organization with a mission to create champions for wildlife.