ANAHEIM : Art Show Takes a Walk on the Wild Side

Wildlife artists and the creatures that inspire them, including endangered wildcats and birds of prey, have transformed the Anaheim Convention Center into a combination menagerie and art gallery.

Nearly 90 painters, sculptors and photographers have set up booths at the October-West Wildlife and Western Art Show, which runs through Sunday.

But drawing the biggest crowds on opening day Friday was a “celebrity” Florida panther that stretched nonchalantly on a table and posed for photos with excited visitors.

“Most people are really in awe of its beauty,” said Burt Wahl, the animal’s trainer and director of Wildlife Rescue in Tampa, Fla. “It’s not often you can get so close to a wild animal.”

The much-in-demand panther, which doesn’t have a personal name, is a 125-pound male raised in captivity since birth. The gentle, 10-year-old cat has been on the “Today” show five times, has appeared with TV hosts Larry King and Johnny Carson, “acted” in various B movies, “and done a lot of print work,” Wahl said.

Art show director Hal Spiegel said the Florida panther is the rarest animal on display at the three-day event.

“It’s one of the most endangered species in all of North America,” Spiegel said. “There are only 30 to 50 in the wild and less in captivity.”

But the Florida panther is not the only exotic creature at the art show, sponsored by the nonprofit Southern California Wildlife Artists Assn. There are also hawks, a black panther, a wolf, ferrets, a barn owl, snakes and an alligator, along with a serval--an African wildcat that can spring 12 feet into the air to catch birds.

A portion of the art show’s profits will be donated to Wildlife Rescue, the Wildlife Waystation in Little Tujunga Canyon and actress Tippi Hedren’s Shambala wildlife preserve in Acton.

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for those 13 and older and free for children 12 and younger. Information: (714) 777-4466.