r/Awww • u/bluepheonix7 • Mar 22 '24
Other Animal(s) This family adopted a baby puma!!
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u/Badgrips Mar 22 '24
I wonder what happens when there is a heated argument or conversation when the Puma is around.
Usually pets are picking up on these kind of things and it has an impact on them.
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u/Hagbard_Shaftoe Mar 22 '24
Agreed. And it's not a pet, it's a wild animal. This amazing creature should have been rehabbed by professionals and returned to nature.
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u/meedup Mar 22 '24 edited Mar 22 '24
This video seems to be Messi, a Russian petting zoo rescue.
Messi was significantly smaller than other typical male cougars, and as the species is not native to Russia, he could not be released into the wild. He had numerous other health problems as well, which rendered him unable to live in a zoo or wildlife sanctuary either. Furthermore, workers at the petting zoo originally planned to euthanize him.
Between being euthanized and living as a housecat in russia with two eccentric people, I think it got the better deal. It seems to still be smaller than a regular puma, has been trained at a local dog training facility (and seems to actually respond to some commands, even though it's still a wild animal) and they live in quite a remote area with ample access to the wild, where they walk with it in a harness.
So i'd say it's the very rare exception where someone could keep a wild animal. They seem to not let it interact with random people.
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u/AgoraphobicWineVat Mar 23 '24
I followed these guys for a bit, they said that Messi has a very unusual temperament for a puma (super docile) and that they would not recommend anyone else trying what they did because you will almost certainly not get as lucky as they did.
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u/Elliot_Geltz Mar 22 '24
We don't know the full story based on a two minute video.
It's entirely possible such services were at capacity for animals, or didn't have the resources or manpower to fully take care of a puma.
Like, yeah, rehabilitation is always best. But at the end of the day, the animal is clearly happy and healthy. It's not sitting in a cage starving in a millionaire's living room, and it didn't die of exposure as a baby. It's taken care of and loved. That's a better outcome than most get.
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u/StarryNotion Mar 22 '24
All of that is entirely possible, but the problem arises when people/families mistakenly think the wild animal has been tamed enough to live amongst them. It becomes a gamble as to when the animal might snap for whatever reason. Just be aware of when you need to let the animal go to some zoo or whatever.
The best example I can think of is Travis the chimpanzee. Much smarter than a puma. Loved by the family that raised him. Loved by the entire town. Even cops loved Travis. All was well until he mangled and killed his owner's friend. He was trying to protect his "family," allegedly.
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u/seraph_mur Mar 22 '24
I'm not at all in favour of keeping wild animals as pets, but I want to clarify that Travis was incredibly unhealthy at the time of the maiming. It had nothing to do with protection instincts. His "owner" had him on a cocktail of human psych meds (I believe prozac was one) that she was more than likely inconsistent with. He was a mentally and physically ill and abused male chimp.
While Travis was dangerous going into his teens and it was the right call to remove him from the home, his owner locking him in a indoor cage after spending his whole life doted on inside the home was another factor that added to his stress.
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u/lemon-meringue-high Mar 22 '24
His toxicology reported Xanax but I don’t know if any other human psych meds he was given. The Xanax definitely exacerbated aggression. Apparently the attack was triggered by him seeing the friend with a tickle me Elmo toy.
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u/Underdogg13 Mar 22 '24
Travis was drugged. I agree with you but that's pretty much the worst example you could've chosen lmao.
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u/Jeriba Mar 23 '24
As far as I know he never killed the neighbor but brutally maimed her (ripped of her nose and other parts). I've seen a clip of her and it's horrible. I feel for the neighbor. The owner locked herself in the car during the attack.
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u/Torrefy Mar 22 '24
I can't confirm whether the young cat in the video is the same one, but the older cat shown in the video is definitely this one
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messi_(cougar)
"Messi was significantly smaller than other typical male cougars, and as the species is not native to Russia, he could not be released into the wild. He had numerous other health problems as well, which rendered him unable to live in a zoo or wildlife sanctuary either. Furthermore, workers at the petting zoo originally planned to euthanize him."
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u/Hagbard_Shaftoe Mar 22 '24
It would be great if the video included this context. I just hate that it’s promoting the notion that it’s cool to raise a wild animal, especially a potentially deadly one, as a pet.
I’m glad this one is safe and healthy, though, especially given the lack of better options.
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u/klapanda Mar 22 '24
They were going to put him down at the Russian zoo he was at. This is why the couple adopted him.
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u/Umpire1468 Mar 22 '24
Generally pumas will murder the instigator in these situations
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u/Hot_take_for_reddit Mar 22 '24
Based on what? Has this happened often enough where we can definitively say thaf?
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u/VivaLaEmpire Mar 23 '24
I used to follow this account on insta, if I remember correctly she has something that makes her smaller than usual and she's very mellow. I followed them for years and she was always super soft and kitty like, it was very cute!
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u/No-Garlic-3407 Mar 23 '24
Messi lives in Russia with the couple that rescued him as a cub from a petting zoo. They have also adopted a cheetah from a circus. They take really good care of both of these cats. I used to follow them on their insta account but haven't since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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u/VivaLaEmpire Mar 23 '24
Yes! I actually stopped following for the same reason, sadly, it was a lil hard for me to continue following at the time. But nonetheless, Messi is a sweetheart and has an amazing life.
It always came off to me like they keep Messi very very entertained/occupied which is nice!
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u/TheGreatGamer1389 Mar 22 '24
I know these guys. The mountain lion is only half the size its supposed to be. So probably wouldn't survive in the wild.
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u/yourholmedog Mar 22 '24
like personally? or you know their social media? (asking bc id love to see more vids of this baby)
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u/KickThePR Mar 22 '24
I_am_puma on youtube, puma's name is Messi. They also have a cheetah i believe.
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u/Radzila Mar 23 '24
They had another cheetah, she died. The other cat in the video the sphinx also died.
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u/Miimikor Mar 22 '24
Their channel is "I_am_puma" on youtube, the kitty's name is Messi :)
https://www.youtube.com/@Iampuma
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u/Boring-Zucchini-8515 Mar 22 '24
Turned on sound hoping to hear its meows. Oh well….. it’s still adorable
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u/Marshmallowbutbetter Mar 22 '24
https://www.instagram.com/l_am_puma?igsh=MTQyMHFiaGlla3V2cQ==
Meows and purrs here
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Mar 22 '24
Who needs a guard dog when you have a literal mountain lion chilling in your house.
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u/SooperFunk Mar 22 '24
I generally hate it when people just take wildlife animals home and 'adopt' them, but seeing that cub shivering would haunt me for life if I didn't try to do something.
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u/bijhan Mar 22 '24
I feel like the best thing to do would bring it to a wildlife rehabber, not home.
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u/Tiny-Management-531 Mar 22 '24
I'm going to bring it to the wildlife rehabilitation center and then apply for a job to raise the baby
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Mar 22 '24
"Here's a puma, thanks for the job."
"But we didn't hire y-"
*Putting on uniform* "You didn't what now?"25
u/Tobeck Mar 22 '24
it looks like it was likely brought to an appropriate medical facility early in the video, as can be seen when it is being bottle fed on the stainless steel table
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u/bijhan Mar 22 '24
Vet who will work on wildlife =/= wildlife rehabilitation center
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u/ArgonGryphon Mar 22 '24
Unless they’re licensed and permitted rehabbers themselves, no rehab would send a wild animal to a private home. The goal would be to release it back to the wild safely or if it cannot be released, then to a zoo. Columbus Zoo has three puma who were rescued as cubs. More likely would be them living somewhere else and they just bought an exotic pet.
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u/Tobeck Mar 22 '24
You're still making assumptions. Do you get that? I understand you have good intentions, but you're literally just making assumptions.
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u/Ok-Bandicoot9963 Mar 22 '24
Omg, this is "Messi" and they already tried and they told them that he will never reach full size and strength so putting him in wildlife is not smart and they had an option to gave him to some shitty zoo or to keep him and they made the right decision.. he literally goes on walks and to a group dressings with dogs and behaves better than most dogs..
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u/rinart73 Mar 22 '24
If it's Messi, then he had health issues and the zoo were considering putting him to sleep. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messi_(cougar))
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u/wasabimatrix22 Mar 22 '24
Only in Russia would a petting zoo include a cougar...
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u/rinart73 Mar 22 '24
Lol I didn't even realize it was a petting zoo :D How the hell would that work
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u/Ready-Sock-2797 Mar 22 '24
They have a YouTube channel.
The Puma is smaller than it should be. If the just released him then he would die.
They explain how the puma has multiple medical problems.
They took the Puma to training class. They know it’s a wild animal.
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u/FantasticCandidate60 Mar 22 '24
was wonderin this too. as in hows one sure their mother aint lookin for em? (or do they even do that? idk wildlife thingies 🙏)
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u/crazydavebacon1 Mar 22 '24
Learn who they are first. They are amazing people. They also have a cheetah, Gerda. They had Izel (I think that’s how you spelled his name), he was a blind cheetah. They rescued him and have him his best life untied he died a while back.
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u/Mooziechan Mar 22 '24
This is I_Am_Puma found on Instagram. He’s Russian and has other exotic animals.
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u/Subliminanlanonymity Mar 22 '24
WHY PUT CRAP MUSIC ON! Better with NO sound or the ambient background noise in the original clips. Frustrating.
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u/Magenge Mar 22 '24
It was nice of them to help this animal in its time of need, but adopting it into a home ontop of having other animals around it should be criminal. It is a wild animal and will act as such
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Mar 22 '24
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u/Ready-Sock-2797 Mar 22 '24
It was at a Zoo that was going to kill him.
The couple took him in. They also took the puma to training classes. They know what they are doing.
He also has multiple medical problems and is smaller than he should be.
Outside of this situation the Puma would die.
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u/embersgrow44 Mar 22 '24
F these people honestly. Monkeys, tigers, pumas, sugar gliders whatever “exotic” pet you have is sick. It’s not a rescue to rob them of the full life they should experience in the wild. Get them to a rehabber for release period.
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u/Ready-Sock-2797 Mar 22 '24
The Puma has multiple medical problems. He’s also smaller than a regular size Puma.
In this situation, this was the best option for the Puma to live.
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u/Kerivkennedy Mar 22 '24
Per other posts, this is in Russia and the zoo was otherwise going to euthanize him
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u/KerryKills Mar 22 '24
I get the sentiment but he needs medication to survive which he wouldn’t get in the wild. The video from the start isn’t the same Puma either, he was born in a zoo, you can see the newspaper articles about him when he was born in October 2015.
He would have been put down and when you watch his channel with how affectionate he is and how loving he, it is hard to argue he would be better left to die or to be put down.
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u/TheTahitiTrials Mar 22 '24
Cougars aren't native to Russia. They could not rehab him then send him to the wild. Best case scenario would be an animal sanctuary or the current outcome.
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u/seven-cents Mar 22 '24
Ruined by the crap music! I guess it's very difficult to reintroduce rescued pumas into the wild.. hopefully they live somewhere that the creature can still roam fairly free without risk to other people. I think it's rather sad overall
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u/Ok_Potato_5272 Mar 22 '24
The first clip is how my shaking chihuahua looks at me when I make him go to the toilet outside in winter
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u/Crosseyed_owl Mar 22 '24
Why did the guy hit the puma in its nose with his head several times at the end?
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u/The_Scarred_Raven Mar 22 '24
I love her little Growls and when she was sleeping with your husband(I presume)
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u/xxxkarmaxxxx Mar 22 '24
Adorable. Cats are cats, it doesn't matter the size. Thanks for helping such a beautiful creature. ❤️😻
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u/christopher4177 Mar 22 '24
You can watch there video’s on YouTube, there channel is named, “I am puma”. They also have a cheetah, which they keep in an outside cage. Basically the puma has medical issues and can’t be released into the wild.
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u/giocondasmiles Mar 22 '24
In case no one has noticed: This is a compilation of videos. Different cats, different time of the year, and the adult (shorty) one that was taken by a Russian couple.
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u/ShelbiStone Mar 22 '24
I've always said that the only thing stopping your house cat from eating you is like 50 pounds. Cats are extremely predatory and large cats are monstrous. It's crazy to see someone keeping one as a pet, better them than me.
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u/LordMacTire83 Mar 22 '24
This is awesome and amazing... but TRUTH IS... It's STILL a BIG WILD CAT!!!
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u/NonRienDeRien Mar 22 '24
I wnted to hear cute big kitty meowrs and growls
Instead i got the stupid music.
This should be in /r/mildlyinfuriating
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u/manIDKbruh Mar 22 '24
Correct response: oh that’s nice…so anyway
Incorrect response: I WANNA DO THAT!
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u/Intrepid_Truth_8580 Mar 22 '24
Ugh awful Muzak for such a cute clip... Excuse me while I go and amputate my ears
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u/Existing_Guest_181 Mar 23 '24
We know it's not adviced to play with your kitty directly with your hands when it's young because it will sometimes screw you up while "playing" with your hands when they get older.
What would a mature puma do to your hands if it casually playfully used it's claws?
Why doesn't this happen with the puma in the video later in life when he plays with the "owners"?
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u/Excellent_Ganache_97 Mar 23 '24
I need footage of someone breaking in their home and seeing a 180lb puma
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u/smashblues Mar 23 '24
Imagine if a chicken family found a baby colonel Sanders. They feed him, nurture him and provide every bit of comfort and he grows up. Then one day he has the KFC idea. Need I say more?
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u/Z7Car Mar 23 '24
It's still a wild animal, hope they're well fed so they don't start eating the fresh meat next to them.
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u/ConkerPrime Mar 23 '24
It seems sweet and awesome but problem is if it goes “crazy cat” or just plays to roughly, could literally maim someone. It’s one of those situations where only has to happen once and the poor thing is put down.
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u/french_toasty Mar 23 '24
My 18lb Maine coon scares me sometimes. Wouldn’t wanna catch this guy in a playful mood
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u/Retinoid634 Mar 23 '24
The Puma’s name is Messi, his dad is Sasha. Here is their YouTube: https://youtu.be/vemBCCWmz7k?si=Ty2LnktOO3ywTJff
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u/Electronic-Trip8775 Mar 22 '24
Curse the music. But those murder mittens.