Taz - African Caracal

Taz African Caracal Taz is the face of the cruel and illegal international trade in wildlife. Rescued from an extremely abusive situation, he had lost his hearing from infection that also destroyed one ear. His criminal captors 'de-clawed' him; he could still walk but not well. His female partner did not survive. Here he is finally safe in an animal rescue shelter - Saunders Country Critters - where he was well taken care of. Making this photograph was a very emotional experience for me. Taz passed away about a year later. I believe his spirit was never broken - I could see it in his face, I felt it in his presence. For me he will be forever a magnificent cat.

Ocelot

African Serval

African Caracal

Bobcat

Ocelot

Bobcat and me. I attempted to photograph this one's brother after this but the brother chomped my arm pretty good - put four good holes in it. At that point I seemed to lose my enthusiasm for the project and decided to call it a day.