D.E.W. Animal Kingdom has over 200 non-human residents of various sizes from small to very large. The following profiles will give you some facts and background information on some of our current residents. We believe that each animal cared for is a rare gem in the treasure chest of D.E.W. Animal Kingdom and we want to share that treasure with you. We appreciate your ongoing support and hope the friends of D.E.W. Animal Kingdom will continue to grow. Please take the time to get to know the animals you will see or have seen. Each one has a story to tell and each one is unique. There are few places other than television that will allow you to see such a variety of creatures from all over the world. Please enjoy one of those places and one of Maine's great treasures.....

Meet our family......................

The Cats

D.E.W. Animal Kingdom has 16 cats of the Felidae family. Our cat residents include 3 lions, 4 tigers, 3 black leopards, 2 mountain lions, 2 lynx and 2 bobcats. The lions, tigers and leopards are considered big cats. The term "Big cat" distinguishes large cat species from smaller ones. One definition of big cat includes only the four species of cat in the genus Panthera: the lion, tiger, leopar and jaguar.  Members of this genus (Panthera) are the only cats able to roar, and this is sometimes considered a distinguishing characteristic of big cats. 

Lions

The lion (Panthera leo) is a member of the family Felidae and one of four "big cats" in the genus Panthera. The lion is the second-largest living cat after the tiger. 

Tundra - A beautiful lion in residence since 2003 turning 5 years old in May 2008. Tundra has a bit of an attitude. Weighing 550 pounds he can have whatever attitude he wants.

Narobi - This lioness will be turning 3 in April 2008. She still acts like a cub full of mischief and fun. 

Lilyannah - "Lily" has been a resident at D.E.W. for 9 years. She is a beautiful, rather large lioness with a great disposition weighing 565 pounds.

Tigers

The tiger (Panthera tigris) is a member of the Felidae family, the largest of four "big cats" in the Panthera genus. Aside from their great size and strength, their most recognizable feature is the pattern of dark vertical stripes that overlays near-white to reddish-orange fur, with lighter underparts. Of the nine subspecies of modern tiger, three are extinct and the remaining are classified as endangered. The primary direct causes are habitat loss, fragmentation and hunting. We are proud to have 4 tigers in our care which are happy, full of energy and enjoy the company of the general public.

Cocheney - Cocheney came to us in July of 2005 from a zoo that closed down. He was and still is incredibly photogenic. He loves attention and loves to play. But at 3 years old is starting to act like an intact male tiger; and as it should be, he puts Guen (see below) in her place when needed.

Guenivere - "Guen" was the most unhealthy tiger cub we've ever taken in. Malnutrition, worms and parasites tormented her. Despite a very hard start, with the help of our vet she began to turn around. She is now a mischievous 3 year old and will be 4 in October of 2008. She weighs in at 500 pounds and loves to torment her mate, Cocheney, and romp in their pond.

Tyka - Born on Ground Hog's day in 1998 he came to our farm at 5 weeks old already having cataracts and a bacterial infection. With tons of attention, medical care and love he has grown into a beautiful tiger turning 10 years old in 2008. He lost one eye to cataracts in 2002. Thanks to two wonderful, dedicated veterinarians who did his procedure pro bono and did a wonderful job. At 10 years old he weighs 950 pounds+ and enjoys laying in his pond whenever he can.

Taniekwa - Again a beautiful tigress that came to us quite sick, basically due to improper diet. Given the right nutrition she began to thrive after her rough start. She'll be turning 7 years old in May of 2008. She is beautiful and very energetic. She loves to play in their pond with her huge green ball. Taniekwa and Tyka are a pair, sharing the same enclosure.

The leopard (Panthera pardus) is member of  the Felidae family and the smallest of the four ' big cats' of the genis Panthera, along with the lion, tiger and jaguar. Leopards that are melanistic, either all-black or very dark in coloration, are known colloquially as black panthers. The leopard is an agile and graceful predator. Although smaller than the other members of Panthera, the leopard is still able to take large prey given a massive skull that well utilizes powerful jaw muscles

Taloose - Taloose was born on our farm in July of 2004. It's always thrilling and amazing with any birth, but with an endangered species such as our black leopard, it increases the thrill. What a privilege to be able to help maintain what we as humans are wiping out in the wild.

Bejoux - Bejoux was donated in 1996. A beautiful, sleek black leopard he will be 12 this year. He still loves to suck his thumbs but still has that unique quickness and slyness of a leopard.

Gabriella - "Gabby" has been a resident since 1999, and will be turning 9 years old in July of 2008. She can be deceitful with her rubbing and rolling - we need to remember at all times that she is a true black leopard. Although she is Bejoux's mate, they only get together once in awhile as she is the Queen!

The Bobcat (Felis rufus)is a North American member of the Felidae family. With a gray to brown coat, whiskered face, and black-tufted ears, the Bobcat resembles the other species of the mid-sized Lynx genus. It is smaller than the Canadian Lynx, with which it shares parts of its range. The B obcat has distinctive black bars on its forelegs and a black-tipped, stubby tail, from which it derives its name. Despite its pussycat appearance when seen in repose, the Bobcat is quite fierce and is equipped to kill animals as large as deer.

Santiago - He came to our farm as an adult Bobcat in 2005. He'll turn 6 in May of 2008. He's beautifully marked, smooth and sly. The nickname for Bobcats, in the wild, is "ghost of the woods". That fits Santiago, as he tends to hide when we are open to the public. He's just a private kind of guy.

Tareena - Tareena was born here in May of 2000. Bottle raised, she was used for some of our off-site educational programs. As she matured she became a predictable Bobcat - that is, unpredictable. All things are tolerated at her tolerance level which can change daily. But we love her independent, spirited personality. 

Mountain lion (Felis concolor), or panther, is a member of the Felidae family, native to the Americas. Mountain lions, frequently called pumas or cougars, formerly occurred in almost every kind of habitat within their range in which their chief prey species, deer, occurred. Now, because of continued persecution, they are nowhere common except in the most remote, thinly populated areas.

Danuli - Danuli came to us in 2001 from a zoo overload. She was about 1.5 years old and will be turning 8 years  old in May of 2008. She is sleek, quick and has her beautiful mountain lion markings. She loves to play with her hard plastic ball. Any soccer team would be glad to recruit her.

Izor - Izor was born in 2003. He has his beautiful mountain lion markings and rugged male look, yet he is sleek, and quick as any cougar should be.

The Canadian Lynx (Lynx canadensis) is a North American member of the Felidae family. Lynx have short tails and usually a tuft of black hair on the tip of the ears. They have a ruff under the neck which has black bars (not very visible) and resembles a bow tie. They have large paws padded for walking on snow and long whiskers on the face. The color of the body varies from light brown to grey and is occasionally marked with dark brown spots, especially on the limbs. With a dense silvery-brown coat, ruffed face and tufted ears, the Canadian Lynx resembles the other species of the mid-sized Lynx genus. It is larger than the Bobcat, with whom it shares parts of its range, and over twice the size of the domestic cat.

Tucker - Tucker came to us from a zoo out west. He was a fun loving kitten when he was born in 1999. Now turning 9 years old he has grown into an absolutely beautiful Canadian Lynx. He protects his enclosure as he should, only tolerating cleanup and feeding.

Taliesha - Taliesha came to our farm the summer of 2002 from a zoo that had closed. At three months old she was a spitfire. After tons of patience and time she grew into a beautiful lynx who tolerates a bit more than Tucker; (her mate) at least most of the time!

The Bears

The American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) is the most common bear species native to North America. It lives throughout much of the continent, from northern Canada and Alaska south into Mexico, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. D.E.W. Animal Kingdom is home to three black bears named Samuri, Tashia and Takiesha.

Samuri - Samuri came to us in 2006 from a zoo that closed it'd doors forever. At 2.5 years old he showed promise of being a large, energetic, lovable ham. Which is exactly what he has grown to be. Samuri loves his visits with "Daddy" and sneaks treats from "Mom". Samuri is only king bear when needed, and a ham the rest of the time.

Takiesha - Takiesha also came from a traveling group. Unfortunately her care left her too small and borderline rickets when she came to us. With lost of patience, good food and love she thrived. A bit undersized for a black bear she has her own quiet personality that endears her to our hearts.

Tashia - Tashia came to the farm when she was a year old in 1998. She had done traveling work and had grown too big so we took her in. She's full of life and personality. She is known as the "Yum Yum" bear because of the happy noises she makes when getting treats. Tashia is the queen bear of the group.

The Dromedary

The Dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) is a large even-toed ungulate. It is often referred to as the one-humped camel, Arabian camel, or simply as the "dromedary". Its native range is unclear, but it was probably the Arabian Peninsula. The domesticated form occurs widely in northern Africa and the Middle East.The dromedary camel is arguably the best-known member of the camel family. Other members of the camel family include the llama and the alpaca in South America. The Dromedary has one hump on its back, in contrast to the Bactrian camel which has two.

Eddie - Eddie came to the family in 1999 when he was a year old. He was playful, foolish and adorable. He's grown to be a handsome, blubbering, dromedary. He gets a bit overexcited with men and gentler with women. He has a strong personality that endears him to just about everyone.

Komboli - Komboli cam to us when she was 4 years of age in 2001. Her petite features and gentle mannerisms are the perfect complement to Eddie. Being an arranged marriage they worked out their differences and live in harmony. Boli has a quiet song you'll hear only if your listening.

The Red Fox

The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a mammal of the order Carnivora. In Great Britain and Ireland, where there are no longer any other native wild canids, it is referred to simply as "the fox". It has the widest range of any terrestrial carnivore, being native to Canada, Alaska, almost all of the contiguous United States, Europe, North Africa and almost all of Asia, including Japan.

Tabitha - Ahhh Tabby - so energetic, lovable, crazy and beautiful. Our only permanent rehab animal. Tabitha came to us in the Spring of 2006. She has grown into a beautiful, sly, fun loving red fox, that you can't help to smile with.