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Zoo Hopes Visitors Will Love Lucy

MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER / The Tampa Tribune

Calusa, nicknamed Lucy, makes her public debut Saturday at the Lowry Park Zoo.

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By LENORA LAKE, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 17, 2007

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TAMPA - Lowry Park Zoo veterinarian David Murphy just wanted to dry off Lucy, a 4 1/2 -month-old Florida panther, after she fell into a pool of water Friday.

The orphaned cub had other ideas.

Lucy, short for Calusa, was more interested in grabbing the towel and clinging with her claws to Murphy's leg.

"This is why you don't have a cougar as a pet," Murphy said as he grabbed the 20-pound cat by the scruff of the neck.

On Friday, Lucy was in her enclosed habitat of trees, grass and mulch in a preview day for news media and zoo visitors. Today, she officially goes on display at the zoo on West Sligh Avenue.

After emerging from the enclosed space, Murphy said, "It was like she was saying: 'I'm so glad to see you. Let me bite your leg.'"

Murphy and the zoo's veterinary assistants have cared for Lucy since she was about a month old.

She was in the Big Cypress National Preserve and rescued by wildlife officers when she was abandoned by her mother. She weighed 2 1/2 pounds, was dehydrated and had a laceration on her head. After emergency care in Naples, she was transferred to the zoo, where she has been hand-raised in its hospital.

She was fed a formula and then weaned on a meat product made especially for big cats. During the months of care, her spots started to fade and her bright blue eyes began changing to green-gray. Her body has grown longer and sleeker. She is expected to grow to about 100 pounds.

During the past six weeks, her exhibit had undergone renovation, or "baby proofing," as the zoo staff likes to call it. The area had been home to two older panthers that died.

"She'll challenge every small hole and every loose wire," said Virginia Edmonds, the zoo's assistant curator of Florida mammals, who helped renovate the site by adding new plants, mulch, leaves and platforms. "The two cats before were old-timers, were very relaxed and didn't test anything."

On Friday morning, the 20-pound cub batted at plants, jumped onto stumps, chased a ball and slipped into a small concrete pool in the enclosed area.

"She's definitely bolder today," Edmonds said Friday morning. "Yesterday, she was out a little and was using the plants to hide behind."

Melinda Rainwater of Gainesville visited the zoo Friday with her sons, ages 1 and 3, and her mother.

"She is adorable - absolutely, totally cute," Rainwater said after seeing Lucy.

Scientists estimate there are 100 panthers in Florida, most roaming through about 2.5 million acres in South Florida. Two decades ago, before the Panther Recovery Project began, there were about 30.

Murphy said her condition when she arrived made him "really concerned the kitty was not going to survive."

He added: "I certainly like her here. It's fun to see her growing. While she is highly entertaining, she has a wonderful conservation message."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Opening of the Florida panther exhibit

WHERE: Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave.

WHEN: 9 a.m. today for zoo pass holders; 9:30 a.m. for the public. The zoo closes at 5 p.m.

HOW MUCH: $16.95 for ages 12 to 59, $15.95 for age 60 and older, $12.50 for ages 3 to 11, and free for age 2 and younger.

INFORMATION: Call (813) 935-0552 or visit www.lowryparkzoo.com.

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851 or llake@tampatrib.com.

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