I have to agree with you. Although Luna is beautiful, keeping a wild animal as a pet is never a good idea, because you can never fully domesticate them. I feel sorry for Luna.

There’s always one. The poor animal wasnt raised in the wild, she wouldn’t cope. Look at the life she’s living now opposed to being stuck in a cage. Boo to you and your comment.

First, the alternative for Luna was death. Vika just saved her. Second - it is enough to watch their YT channel to find out that it is not an unhappy animal. He is not still in one place, not in a cage or on a paddock. He runs in Siberian forests, climbs trees and rocks, and stays in a country house most of the year. Her bond with Venza is absolutely unique. I am also of the opinion that wild animals should live in a natural environment, but Luna was not born as a fully wild animal. The alternative for her, if her mother had not rejected her, could only be the zoo. This would DEFINITELY not be a better place for her. Third - you can make various considerations, and in the end you have to face harsh reality anyway. In this case, the Russian reality. Vika did what she could do for Luna the best in this reality. And we should be happy about it. Just.

Exactly, Luna wont stay small and cute for long. Soon she will be twice Venzas size and playing with her will become dangerous, through no fault of her own. Someone WILL get hurt and if something happens to the woman??? Then were will Luna and Venza be??? Please place Luna in suitable care and just give your energy to your adorable Rottie... :)

I'd agree on a general scale, but here : 1) maybe this woman is actually an expert and knows perfectly what she does, it is not well-explained in the article but I assume the zoo wouldn't have allowed her to adopt the panther if she couldn't prove her competence to do so ; 2) this panther (I mean as an individual) is not a wild animal and will never be. She had barely any contact with her own mother and was never given any occasion to mimic and learn the normal behaviour of a panther in its natural environment, she must not even be aware that she is one. She might be dangerous though, if she doesn't learn to measure her physical strength while playing for example - but she will learn, just like the rottweiler she lives with. You don't save an animal's life for the sake of what its species is supposed to be, "wildlife" or whatsoever, you do it for the sake of one individual who deserves to live in good conditions even if this will never be a "natural" life.

exactly. even if luna is such a beautiful animal, a panther is not domesticated. it's better for the wild animal to return to the wild, or let it be taken care of in a facility where people have expertise in caring for panthers like luna. if luna snaps one day, it could lead to death of not only the owner but of many people too. and right, it's dangerous and selfish for the woman to buy a baby panther, and it isn't saving even if she means well.

Luna was abandoned very young so she has never experienced anything but her life with a human. The cruelty would be releasing her into the wild with her trusting background.

She had long-term health problems and no survival skills. Her now Mom is a locally renowned big cat rehabbed. https://siberiantimes.com/other/others/features/stunning-visuals-of-a-black-panther-playing-in-the-snowy-woods-of-siberia-shared-by-owner/ So KAREN, PLEASE STFU.

There’s always one. The poor animal was t raised in the wild, she wouldn’t cope. Look at the life she’s living now opposed to being stuck in a cage. Boo to you and your comment.

Just saying, but she did the right thing. if the zoo let her buy the panther, AND the mother panther did not care, then it deserved a better home. She provided a safe home when others did not care. You are wrong, FYI

I can agree with you in a vacuum. I’m pretty sure the options for saving this cat for release into the wild wasn’t an option. It looks like it’s got a great environment. Is it as perfect as you would do? Lol. As far as pictures go, more power to the owner. It’s crazy how nuts people get these days. Absolutely nuts.

You understand Luna is, at the least 4 months, most likely older, right? She's probably not equipped to be around animals of her kind or other animals at all. It's not like the lady took her from the zoo. No one else could take care of her. Besides, stuff like rehabilitation centers or whatever you're talking about, most of them probably can't take car of Luna because they're filled to the brim with other animals. Stuff like this doesn't just happen, you know? No offense, but I'm going to have to disagree.

Are you saying you would have rathered that Luna died!?

Clearly she is an expert. And you can domesticate wild animals. It happens everyday. The situation for Luna seems very cruel. Obviously not

I believe there are far too many know-it-alls that should mind their own business. How dare you? Put a coal to your mouth and stop showing your foolishness.

I fully agree. Unfortunately, in Russia it is legal to keep exotic animals as pets.

Yeah, big cat sanctuary...the next Tiger King maybe? /s In a perfect world this cat wouldn't have needed a home, but it does, and it got it. One with food, care , love and a best buddy. So why be a killjoy?

I agree.

I dissagree, this Cat you can look at it and tell its super healthy and well taken care of, and this is in a remote region of Russia not New York, as far as this cat knows its a Rottweiler just like its friend, you people are just jealous and so am i

Not dangerous at all. Luna is very happy, lives semi-free, is taken care of, gets vaccines, vitamines , has a dog friend and is super loveable. Watch (amongst others) on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085752739952

She couldn't be released into the wild. A. She had special health needs and B. Once contact with humans is made (which it had to be for her medicines, efc) she isn't fit for the wild. And the owner didn't buy Luna. She was called in by a zoo to save her life.

Give it a rest. What do you know?

She was born in captivity, how exactly is releasing an animal into the wild with no mother to show it what to do? And I really doubt there are any nature or big cat sanctuaries in Russia. Luna will get the best life where she is right now.

So you would rather have preferred that magnificent animal euthanized as a cub because of your hoity-toity sensibilities???

She is lucky to have space of 2 acres to roam and this woman and family who have raised her after being orphaned. I agree wild animals are not for our enjoyment but this is a special case. Luna has bonded with the dog. Would you have her break the bond?

I would agree with you, but this woman lives in isolation in almost the wilderness, and that cat has enormous area to run with his companions, and is doted on with as much attention as a domestic. That cat has a better life than in a zoo or sanctuary, where it would be caged and likely solitary. Almost everyone, I would say no way should own a big cat...this woman and her husband are a rare exception. And also, I believe Luna is undersized, could never be released. That cat is happy.

You are wrong... she was born in a zoo and her mother rejected her. This woman was hired by the zoo to care for her because she is in fact an expert and absolutely knows better than a keyboard warrior what is best for Luna and what is best for her is exactly where she is.

There is always a debbie downer.. Always that person that thonks they know better than a professional... Go figure

Hi Deb, how do u know which would give it the happier life? Do u hear voices... the cat doesn't know anything except its life... seems happy...

I guess you can't read? She is experienced in raising these animals, and she has a large home and land that Luna can roam. You can watch her on YouTube as they post videos almost daily and Luna AND Venza are doing just fine. In fact they are thriving. Try reading the article fully before making a fool of yourself with uneducated comments.

Your opinion. I resent , out make it sound like the final word. This animal is fabulously happy here and I think you Re more that little jealous and resentful that's your life is perhaps less happy than Lunas.

Luna couldnt be released due to her health problems. She was rejected by her mother and became malnourished before the current owners could get her. That caused her health issues for life and needs medication.

1/ The owner is a professional animal caretaker, that's a hell of a difference. 2/ ALL Animals, even 'domesticated' are still 'wild' (just like us). This leopard is less agggresive than some 'domesticated' cats. 3/ Animals are living beings that are smart, that adapt, but most impoortantly that need love and care ! She's not a pet and she's free .. They go on walks with her without leash, so she could escape if she wanted ... but she doesn't.

Thank you, Deborah. I can see that Luna is in dire straights and is very unhappy. We are so lucky to have people like you to assume they know the circumstances of a story since they evidently didn't read it. Perhaps you should judge not, and zip your lips as I see you have stated no qualifications for your demands for Luna. Luna was rescued from a dire situation, rejected by her mother, and saved, not for pretty photos. I truly wish people like you would shut up and stick to something you know like acting like a know it all backed up by zero qualifications.

Read her story properly before writing rubbish. Luna's mother couldn't look after her and she nearly starved, she was rescued from a travelling zoo, so she has far more freedom living with Wiktoria and Vovo thanshe would other wise have had

In 99.99 cases, I 100% agree with you! I have said the same thing countless times and continue to see the intelligence in what you say. BUT there are exceptions. And I believe this one is an exception. There must be something not quite right with Luna for her mom to have totally rejected her at birth. Of course it might have been that the mom was unduly stressed by HER un-natural environment or that she was inexperienced being a mom. Who knows? But I can see that Luna is in an environment where quality and responsible stewardship take precedence; I believe this cat is safe and well taken care of, and that the rest of the world is safe from her as well. Your position on wild animals being kept in the private sector and damnable zoos is, by and large, true and the correct assessment, though. I still remember the lengths that Elsa, the lion’s family went to when re-introducing her to the wild…and I remember how she ended up dead as a result of a parasite that normally would be not an issue….

I fear those idiots who will buy exotic animals wanting a beautiful, well-behaved exotic pet too.

You are absolutely spot on!

Hear hear!

You are spot on! I think this is selfish & cruel to keep her, after all this is not meant to be a pet. I am sorry for Luna….

Yes, and... It’s in SIBERIA. I do not believe there are NATURAL panther habitats in Siberia... 🤷🏽‍♀️

oh, nonsense... all domesticated animals started out as wild animals... they seem to be doing okay... yes, still a wild animal... Luna can be used as a teaching animal in a zoo since she is so comfortable with humans... this will teach kids about panthers... p.s... get a life.... and a pet

Maybe she'll take care till Luna is fully adult and then release her into wild? Releasing into wild isn't safe for the big cat for it never has lived in wild habitat before. But instincts should work out. It's a mixed feeling actually :(

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

100% right. She should have let Luna die, as nature intended. Wait. That sounds kinda stupid... Hum...

Totally agree. Such a wonderful story of love for animals.

Grim Reaper, what planet do you live on? People do not care abut animals they care only about themselves, they exploit, torture, kill animals and find pleasure in committing these atrocities; animals are dying out to total extinction, planet Earth is being turn into a desert. And all the "good" people will do nothing to stop it.