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Just a Big Pussy Cat By Jason O'Brien

Irish Independent: 19th January 2008

The Independant
   
HER owner maintains that she is just a pussy cat.
Sonya, believed to be a Sumatran-type tiger, was one of a number of wild cats rescued from a house in Tyrone a number of years ago. However, because of her age (15) and because she has been spayed, the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found it difficult to find a new home for her.
That was where Norman Elder stepped in. Mr Elder, who runs the Wildlife NI animal hospital at Benvarden near Ballymoney, Co Antrim, adopted the tiger as a pet and has looked after her for two years.
Sonya lives in the elephant compound of the old safari park at Benvarden and Mr Elder, who has a licence to keep dangerous animals, has tamed her to the extent that he is comfortable giving her a cuddle.
"I think because she was bred in captivity she is not aggressive. The only danger for us is if she decides to play. She's so strong," he said.
"She is unusually docile. If I go up to one of the staff caravans and don't call in to see her she howls because she knows I'm there.
"Also there is another member of staff who feeds her. He won't put his hand into the cage or anything like that but when she hears him coming she gets really excited. She does take to certain people."
The cat weighs about 20 stone and can eat up to 6lb of steak or six chickens each day. Most of the food is donated from nearby supermarkets or farms.
Sonya is not the only dangerous animal at Mr Elder's Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. She is kept company by a number of wolves, snakes and lizards as well as a host of rescued birds, dogs and domestic cats.

Do you have any information on the above reports. Were you the person involved, or are you aware of any more sightings in this area. We would appreciate any information that you could give us.

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