- Hogle Zoo in Utah has introduced Gaia, an eight-month-old black-footed cat
- Black-footed cats are the deadliest and smallest African wildcat in the world
A Salt Lake City-area zoo has welcomed its newest resident, a black-footed cat, the world's deadliest and smallest African wildcat.
On Dec. 28, Hogle Zoo in Utah introduced Gaia, an eight-month-old black-footed cat, to its small animal building.
The zoo took Gaia in for breeding on the recommendation of the Black-Footed Cat Consortium, saying she was “small in size but big in her lively personality.”
“Their arrival represents an important step in the conservation of their species; “As the consortium only includes 29 black-footed cats, successful breeding could contribute significantly to the program,” the zoo said.
Black-footed cats look similar to tabby cats, but get their name from black or dark brown soles or pads in their paws.
Utah's Hogle Zoo welcomed its newest resident, Gaia (pictured), an eight-month-old black-footed cat
Hogle Zoo (pictured) took Gaia in on the recommendation of the Black-Footed Cat Consortium, saying she was “small in size but big in her vibrant personality”.
Their homeland is the dry eastern parts of Namibia, central and southern Botswana and South Africa.
According to the Smithsonian, their average height is between 8 and 8 inches and their average weight is between 2.4 and 4.2 pounds.
Although they are about 200 times smaller than the typical lion, research shows that the black-footed cat's predation success rate is 60 percent, killing an average of 10 to 14 rodents or small birds each night.
For lions, the success rate against predators is 20 to 25 percent.
Breeding is important for the survival of this species, as it was listed as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List in 2016.
This means their population is declining and they are at risk of becoming an endangered species.
Hogle Zoo said: “Predominantly nocturnal, its status in the wild is often challenging due to its shyness and preference for nocturnal activity.”
Because of this, the zoo plans to surround Gaia's space with curtains or barriers while she adjusts to her new home.
Research shows that the black-footed cat's predation success rate is 60 percent, killing an average of 10 to 14 rodents or small birds each night
There's a black-footed cat named Ryder living at Hogle Zoo, who they want to introduce to Gaia in the future.
“Gaia's introduction to Ryder, the male black-footed cat, is planned, but we will meet these two feline friends when Gaia is an adult,” the zoo said.
In September, the zoo announced the death of the oldest known black-footed cat at an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoo.
Hogle Zoo was home to 18.5-year-old black-footed cat Sanura, who also holds the record for the oldest black-footed cat to give birth to a successful litter at the age of 14.
“Sanura had four successful offspring, which represents an important contribution to the conservation of the endangered species,” the zoo said.