Margay Kitten

October 27, 2009

Allan says: This is a margay (Felis wiedii or Leopardus wiedii). Her mother was killed by hunters (unfortunately this is yet quite frequent nowadays in Brazil) and the kitten came to my house as a kind of "gift" by a friend that didn't have the knowhow with wild cats. Margays learn everything from their mothers in the first year of life, and without this knowledge, it's impossible for them to live in the jungle, would die by hunger or hunted by animals like the fox. So it remains completely dependent on human care for keeping alive. It is like most kittens, very funny, loves playing with toy mice, eat premium food for kittens, but is yet a little angry and doesn't like to be touched. I'm looking for a zoo with other margays. This will hurt too much my heart, but is the right thing to do. These animals are very rare, and all effort to breed these animals in captive is very important and commendable.

All Photos Courtesy of and ©: Allan Filgueira

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Comments and LOLs:

Kephara - 14 years, 5 months ago

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289 points

Oh she is such a little beauty! I hope you find a wonderful safe home for her.

wokkawokka - 14 years, 5 months ago

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229 points

He's lovely! What an exotic little cutie. You should train him as a watch-cat.

SeekingPlumb - 14 years, 5 months ago

She's beautiful!!

mld1979 - 14 years, 5 months ago

26 points

How gorgeous!

Jackie - 14 years, 5 months ago

91 points

She is beautiful. What a sad plight for this breed though. I had not even heard of it.

awgoodkitty - 14 years, 5 months ago

This is the most beautiful cat I have ever seen. I hope some kind of protection laws can be written to help these stunning cats.

yacketycat - 14 years, 5 months ago

41 points

She is so beautiful. I would have a hard time not touching her - I want to kiss her! Thank you for saving her life.

Smooch - 14 years, 5 months ago

736 points

How heartbreaking that her mother was killed. It will be very sad to give up this beauty but I commend you for helping save her. She is gorgeous.

CoolCat - 14 years, 5 months ago

Neat cat. I'll bet she has a nasty bite. I wouldn't want to find out.

mma - 14 years, 5 months ago

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what a special animal; I sure hope he finds a wonderful zoo home. Bet you wish you could keep him!

amalbici - 14 years, 5 months ago

189 points

what a lovely cutie - i would love to have him and look after him - he looks so tame though :-)

kittapotomus - 14 years, 5 months ago

45 points

What a beautiful animal. I have never heard of the margay before. I hope you find a zoo that will take him soon. So many people would keep him as a status symbol and I commend you for knowing what the right thing is and doing it. Poor fella. Thank you for saving this baby and taking one small step to save a dying breed.

jusum - 14 years, 5 months ago

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2 points

oh, so so cute! I love wild cats!!

Maureclaire - 14 years, 5 months ago

1 points

I would LOVE to take him ! I rescued a cat that would not let anyone touch her, til I worked with her.... now she loves me !

Sewinggirl - 14 years, 5 months ago

17 points

Bless you for taking care of her.

docsquid - 14 years, 5 months ago

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642 points

He is absolutely beautiful. I really hope you are successful in finding a home that can let him have a happy life, and hopefully breed more Margay cats.

Shelley - 14 years, 5 months ago

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455 points

This is a beautiful kitten

tarah711 - 14 years, 5 months ago

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15 points

What a beautiful cat. I hope you can find a good home for her.

Metmarfil - 14 years, 5 months ago

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71 points

Oh she is sad for her mommy u_u

littlebird - 14 years, 5 months ago

15 points

How exotic and beautiful! I hope you will be able to find a home for her; I would find it hard to give her up but it is best for her...

nurseheidi - 14 years, 5 months ago

10 points

It's interesting but I was watching a video at one point that says that even though cats we know as pets are called felinus domesticus (domestic cat) cat's are not actually fully domesticated like dogs are. They are in fact still part wild. Perhaps they are a bit more tame than this girl here, but that's what the experts will tell you. I just think it's cool to think I have a part wild animal in my house :)

BeautifulBoysMom - 14 years, 5 months ago

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35 points

Gorgeous cat! I'm glad you are searching for a good zoo environment for Margay kitten. Too many people keep exotic animals when it's not the right thing to do for the animal.
Thank you.
Florida, USA

Holy Cuteness - 14 years, 5 months ago

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Wow, a really beautiful cat!

Nili - 14 years, 5 months ago

48 points

Thank you for saving this beauty and finding the right home for her.

Lynne - 14 years, 5 months ago

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39 points

Beautiful!!! I'd never heard of this breed either.

Susan - 14 years, 5 months ago

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66 points

What a wonderful little soul. Good luck in finding that home.

DarkJediJaden - 14 years, 5 months ago

9 points

How beautiful and exotic. I hope you are able to find a good program for her to join.

Symeezgurl - 14 years, 5 months ago

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237 points

She looks like she's missing her mommy. I hope you can find a playmate for her soon. She is so beautiful.

Pixie - 14 years, 5 months ago

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Glad you are giving it to a zoo. Once a wild animal, always a wild animal. That's why it's so angry. It's not programmed to be a pet. How beautiful it is, though! Can't wait for heaven where we can play with the BIG kitties. :)

Ingajonna - 14 years, 5 months ago

You are doing the right thing! I am so happy you were there to help this little guy in his hour of need. Thank you for helping.

gerriberri - 14 years, 5 months ago

16 points

contact the exotic feline foundation in rosamond, california and see if they know of anyone near you.

gerriberri - 14 years, 5 months ago

16 points

The Exotic Feline Foundation actually has margays

snafutti - 14 years, 5 months ago

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30 points

Meowmyof5 - 14 years, 5 months ago

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10 points

She is absolutely gorgeous! I, too, had never heard of the margay, but I am glad you are able to care for her at this time and are seeking a proper environment that she can grow and thrive in properly. God bless you.

BooBooKitty - 14 years, 5 months ago

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128 points

What a SWEETIE! I sure hope you find a wonderful zoo that will take her.

vicgag - 14 years, 5 months ago

171 points

It's a female guys but all in all, she's a beauty and a shame she cannot be tamed. What a majestic animal.

vicgag - 14 years, 5 months ago

171 points

I have to get on again and say, that's my kind of cat, I love big cats.

erika - 14 years, 5 months ago

Please find a sanctuary for her, rather than a zoo. Because zoos are profit-driven, they do not always have the animal's best interests in mind. A sanctuary would offer a more natural environment and a better life for this incredibly beautiful creature.

ksilver - 14 years, 5 months ago

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155 points

BirmanMama - 14 years, 5 months ago

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951 points

You are so generous to care for this little beauty. Best of luck in finding her a good home with her species.

Sue B. - 14 years, 5 months ago

Allan, thank you for helping this rare, gorgeous kitten. I didn't know there was a type of cat like these.

chloe - 14 years, 5 months ago

The nose!!! Call Best Friends in Kanab Utah or go online - bestfriends.org. They will surely know where she belongs - perhaps with them.

Stace - 14 years, 5 months ago

Poor kitty looks depressed. (Beautiful, but depressed.) You're doing the right thing by finding a zoo or refuge for it.

Kiki - 14 years, 5 months ago

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9 points

Kiki - 14 years, 5 months ago

9 points

Oops! Hit the wrong key. Meant to say she looks to sad.

studioonenetworks - 14 years, 5 months ago

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2 points

MoreKittens4Me - 14 years, 5 months ago

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131 points

Oh, poor baby. [people suck] Sounds like a couple of things in Brazil definitely need to change. Thank you for taking her in and finding the right place for her.

MoreKittens4Me - 14 years, 5 months ago

131 points

P.S. Best Friends doesn't take big cats, but they probably have connections. A couple of the other suggestions sound more promising.

Vicki - 14 years, 5 months ago

Amazing, gorgeous cat. Crying shame their species is in decline due to the stupidity of humans who feel it necessary to kill them for their pelts. KUDOS to you and your friend for the effort taken to keep this beauty alive. My best to you in finding a home for this lovely creature.

badmama1023 - 14 years, 5 months ago

just out of curiosity..is the margay larger than the codcod?? that is one cat that I would love to see in person!!! this one is gorgeous too!

sharon - 14 years, 5 months ago

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19 points

such wonderful markings!!

Matilda - 14 years, 5 months ago

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aww how can u keep from holding her?? i know its better for her to not grow up used to human touch because she wont do well in the wild if released but shes so cuhyoot :):):)

Suzan - 14 years, 5 months ago

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What an adorable baby. I saw a margay at the Belize Zoo outside of Belize City. They had all kinds of wild cats I'd never seen before. Here's the link: http://www.belizezoo.org/zoo/zoo/mammal…

AAM - 14 years, 5 months ago

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WOW! AwWw... She is just to0 cute, hope you find her a wounderful new home. God Bless U beautiful

LeCrosse - 14 years, 5 months ago

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67 points

She is absolutely stunning, but what a sad story. Thank you for protecting her, and seeing that she has a proper home :)

Lindsay - 14 years, 5 months ago

36 points

So sad, I wish that didn't happen to such beautiful animals. The kitten is absolutely adorable. I'd love to help her.

littlebird - 14 years, 5 months ago

15 points

Sacramento Zoo in Sacramento, CA also has Margays

Noela - 14 years, 5 months ago

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Stunning cat,poor wee orphan. Just breaks your heart, to see this Cat and I hope, that you find a suitable zoo/wildlife reserve for the mite to go to. Best wishes, little Margay, for long and happy life.

Becky P - 14 years, 5 months ago

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Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Gorgeous coat!

Meelzy - 14 years, 5 months ago

14 points

Is that a cheetah??? So cute anyway you are so lucky to have her/him so so so cute and so cute!!

Meelzy - 14 years, 5 months ago

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14 points

smokey Demon - 14 years, 5 months ago

The more I deal with humans, the more I love cats! Bless you for taking in this little orphan. I hope you found an excellent zoo or shelter for her.

chocoluv - 14 years, 5 months ago

213 points

beautiful!

bluesshell - 14 years, 3 months ago

19 points

Thank you for sharing this little beastie with us. It's story needs to be told so things can change. Bless you for your efforts to do the right thing!

Runefoot - 13 years, 12 months ago

44 points

It's probably really hard to give up a little cutie like that! My cat is so 'wild' that i swear she's part jaguar!

MissyofMissylandia - 13 years, 11 months ago

780 points

Wild thing, you make my heart sing.

tuna - 13 years, 11 months ago

206 points

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE EXIBIT HE WILL BE PUT IN AT THE ZOO SOME ZOOS ARE VEY BAD AND ARE ONLY ABOUT THE MONEY WHAT A CUTE KITTY

chocoluv - 13 years, 11 months ago

213 points

beautiful!

IttyBitty96 - 13 years, 10 months ago

85 points

what a lovely creature! it is a privilege to see such a rare animal in captivity. it is nice to see that you are focusing on the wellbeing of this rare creature. best wishes!

Smarsh26 - 13 years, 9 months ago