Eddy the Black Leopard
Our Sanctuary is open to the public every day from 9 AM to 4 PM. and you are welcome to come visit us - and see Eddy in person.
Visitors that come to the Sanctuary under normal public visiting conditions are able to see Eddy from our observation decks, and can watch him interact with the 8 other leopards he lives with.
Eddy Updates
When Animal Planet finished filming “Growing Up Black Leopard”, Eddy was last seen being released into one of our large 20-acre habitats. Yet, we also had to make it easier for him to meet Jake and Chloe - so we decided to build a large enclosure next to their pen - so they all could be closer to each other (at least during the first stages of their meeting each other).
Eddy with “Chloe” the female golden-colored Leopard How’s Eddy doing now? Eddy is a Black Leopard - which means his background color is black… but he does still have his spots - they’re just hard to see since they are black too!
Once we built the new giant enclosure for them all to meet - we let Jake & Chloe (and Eddy) into the enclosure to live together. They became instant friends… and Eddy seemed to really love playing with “big kitties”! The three of them played, and played, and played…
Eddy has come a long way since then, and has continued to grow. He now weighs approximately 160 pounds, and has a beautiful black coat that all the other leopards love and envy. Over the next year, Eddy, Jake & Chloe had four more leopards join them… which brought the total number of leopards living together in the big enclosure to seven! In late 2006 Gina & Sam (Eddy’s parents) joined the group… and now, they are just as happy as Eddy and the rest of his friends.
With your support, we can build them a new special habitat where they can all go live as one big happy family!
Did you know…
That a "Black Panther" is not really a separate species! Actually, Black Leopards and Black Jaguars are both called "Black Panthers" when they have solid black-colored coats. The term "Black Panther" is used for two reasons (1) because the word "Panther" means "Cat"... and (2) They are solid black in color... so when you say Black Panther - you are really just saying Black Cat!
Yet it's important to note that bothLeopards and Jaguars actually have spots all over their bodies… it's just hard to see them because the spots are also black. Normally when Jaguars and Leopards have the more typical golden-colored coats…you can see their spots very well. However, when they have less typical black colored coats (with black spots on top of their black coats)…it becomes very hard to tell them apart - thus the need for a more generic name.
Eddy is a very special Leopard, and we all care about him very much! We hope you care as much about Eddy's future as we do…so this page is dedicated to giving you different ways you can help!
Donations - It cost us over $1,500,000 each year to care for Eddy and the other Animals we have rescued - so we need your help financially to continue caring for them.
Corporate Support - Whether you work for a large corporation, or small business, there are lots of ways your company can help with sponsorships, contributions, and grants & in-kind donations.
Workplace Giving - Payroll deductions are a great and EASY way to help. You can give any amount each paycheck, and know that you are helping Eddy and his friends all year long! Sign up through United Way or Community Shares…and if your workplace does not have a payroll deduction pal, call us - we'll help you get one!
Employee Match - Many companies match their employed charitable gifts - check to see if yours does, and that way you double your gift to Eddy!
Adopt an Animal - Would you like to adopt Eddy? Becoming an adoptive parent is a fun way to get personally involved with the Animal you're helping to save! You get a photo, an adoption certificate, Sanctuary passes & quarterly updates. Schools & businesses can also adopt an Animal as a Mascot too!
Donor Dinners at the Sanctuary - Host a unique intimate dinner at the Sanctuary, and raise money for Eddy and the animals too! Call us for details!
Planned Giving & Bequests - A loving way to remember the animals into the future through your living will, insurance policy, or many different trusts…you can provide for Eddy and your other loved ones.
Volunteer - Sanctuary maintenance, fundraising, docents & more…we always need good Volunteers. Click on the Volunteer Button in our volunteer section for more info.
Spread the Word - Few people know about the Captive Wildlife Crisis in America, or what the Wild Animal Sanctuary does to help. Invite others to visit our unique non-profit sanctuary (which is home to over 220 great cats and Bears).
The Animals and Eddy THANK YOU for all your help and support!
