Disease killing big cats at Indiana refuge

CENTER POINT, Ind. - A disease is being blamed for killing at least six tigers and a lion at an exotic cat refuge in western Indiana.

Exotic Feline Rescue Center founder Joe Taft said the big cats all died from pneumonia that sets in during the final stages of canine distemper, which most often strikes dogs.

Taft tells The (Bloomington) Herald-Times he suspects the disease reached the grounds from an infected raccoon or other wild animal. He says vaccines aren’t very effective for the nearly 200 cats at the center near Center Point, about 30 miles northwest of Bloomington.

Taft said it has been about three weeks since a new distemper case has been diagnosed and he hopes the worst danger has passed. He said the disease can’t be spread to humans.

“There’s not much else we can do — just watch and wait. The main thing is, they have got to start eating. If we can’t get them to eat, then they have no chance,” he said.

Employees and volunteers are keeping a close eye on the population, taking note of any cats not eating or any acting lethargic. Any cats suspected of being ill are isolated and treated with fluids and intravenous antibiotics.

Taft said he has known such an outbreak was possible, “A few years ago, a facility we work with a lot in Texas lost 17 cats to distemper. It was awful. It’s something we’ve been concerned about, knowing it can happen.”

The center has spent thousands of dollars providing medical care for the sick tigers and lion.