He Couldn’t Resist Lion’s Winning Ways

When a local Humane Society official telephoned Bob Farner recently and asked him if he might like to adopt a 75-pound mountain lion, Farner’s reaction was swift: “Nope, no way.”

Although Farner’s yard and modest home here are virtually swarming with more than 150 assorted animals and birds--mostly injured wild creatures that the 63-year-old retired Marine nurses back to health--adding a burly mountain cat to the brood seemed like a bit much.

“I wasn’t equipped for it, and I figured the cat might be a bit tough to manage,” Farner recalled recently.

Then Farner met the proffered mountain lion, which had been under the care of an Escondido Humane Society employee. Suddenly, practicality sailed right out the window.

“She is an absolute jewel, a real doll, a beauty,” Farner said during a recent interview, the din produced by his backyard flock nearly drowning out his words. “I decided right then I had to have her.”

The lion is also declawed and behaves nicely on a leash, two important considerations, given Farner’s plans to add the tawny feline to the lineup of animals he takes to school and state park programs and other special events.

After convincing his wife, Ulla, that the lion is “a real sweetheart,” Farner set out to secure the numerous special approvals and licenses required to house wild, four-legged creatures, and began making preparations for the big cat’s arrival.

The mountain lion, which is roughly 8 months old, was born in captivity and raised as a pet in Texas. The Escondido Humane Society impounded the animal in March after its owner tried to sell it.

“This fella, who shall remain nameless, had apparently been cited for keeping the young lady (lion) in his house and was trying to find it a home outside a local convenience store,” said Bob Shepard, director of operations at the Escondido Humane Society.

The shelter took the animal into custody pending the outcome of its owner’s hearing on the citation, but the man apparently skipped town and the lion automatically became the property of the state Department of Fish and Game.

Since then, Shepard and local game wardens have puzzled over what to do with the lion, named “Coujar” (that’s COO-jar) by Humane Society officers. It’s been a bit different than finding a home for a stray dog or cat.

“Since she’s declawed, and couldn’t catch a thing to eat, we couldn’t release her into the wild,” Shepard said. Neither the zoo nor the Wild Animal Park was much interested, Shepard said, because “they prefer exotic animals--things that go with their African motif--and aren’t much into indigenous species.”

Escondido Humane Society officials, who had grown quite attached to Coujar, were tempted to keep the lion. The animal even made a guest appearance at a humane society board of directors meeting. But Shepard said the potential liability and hefty responsibility the feline represents convinced him Coujar belonged elsewhere.

Finally someone remembered Farner, North County’s most famous animal lover.

“It seemed like a natural,” Shepard said. “With Farner, the lion will be used for educational purposes, exposed to youngsters who might otherwise grow up thinking they should shoot one on sight. That’s important, because you rarely see mountain lions and they should be preserved and appreciated.”

Shepard said that Farner’s experience and dedication to caring for animals qualify him to handle the feline. But it will be no small task.

Take Coujar’s diet, for instance. Kibble won’t do; this animal dines on beef, deer and rabbit meat and chicken necks--items that can be expensive, not to mention difficult to come by.

“The feline diet has got to be carefully balanced,” Shepard said. “You’ve got to have some feathers and bones, but you don’t fuel their killer instinct by throwing in a live chicken, either.”

Equally important is the controlled, constant contact necessary to keep Coujar a pleasant, calm and unthreatening pet. Then there are the numerous permits and conditions required by agencies ranging from the county to the state Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The lion must have a specially built cage and an attending veterinarian, and Farner must agree to surprise inspections by officials monitoring the health of the animal and the cleanliness of its quarters.

“It’s a very big responsibility,” said Shepard, adding that Coujar may live as long as 20 years.

Farner, who already boards a wolf, a bobcat and a fox on his 3/4-acre property, said he is ready and eager to meet the challenge. And last week, after a tearful goodby at the humane society, the Vistan finally got his cat.

“I’m so excited. This will be just great. More than anything I want the kids to meet her and see that, like the big bad wolves, the big bad mountain lion isn’t so fierce and wild as their reputation. Give ‘em a chance and they can be just as friendly as your cat and dog.”

At last report, the lion was said to be “showing off in her cage” and “having a ton of fun” with a football and a plastic umbrella.

“She’s getting a lot of attention,” Farner said of his new guest, renamed “Sheba” because “she’s slick and good-lookin’ like a queen.”

“The old wolf is jealous as can be.”