DOB: January 2005
FCZS: 12/6/06
Sex: Female
Weight: 7.5 lbs.

Isabella was lucky to be rescued from an abusive situation and brought to the zoo sanctuary for a safe and loving home. Nicknamed "Bella" (to avoid confusion with fox Isabella), she is in the zoo’s outreach program. She is a furry ambassador helping share the zoo’s philosophy of "Teaching responsible human behavior toward all animals."

Unfortunately, along with some confiscations due to abuse, there are also over 50,000 rabbits voluntarily given up to shelters each year. Far too often people buy rabbits as pets when they are cute little bundles of fur, only to abandon them as they grow.

DOB: Spring 1998
FCZS: 10/2/98
Sex: Female
Weight: 19.4 lbs.

Scout was taken as an illegal pet. She can be identified by a small notch on her ear (an old injury from an apparent scuffle).

Scout has been successfully trained to respond to various requests from her keepers. Curious, energetic and greedy animals are good candidates for training, as they never tire of treats and are eager to work to get them.

Raccoons are omnivores and get a diet of meat, vegetables, fruits, greens and even nuts. At feeding time keepers have the option of putting the raccoons in separate lock-up cages while cleaning the exhibit. If the doors to their lock-ups are not secured, Scout easily uses her front paws to lift the gate. She is quick to come out to see what new thing might be in her home and if there is anything to eat or explore.

DOB: 1995 or 1996
FCZS: 10/11/96
Sex: Male
Weight: 4.3 lbs.

Though ringtails live in this region of California, most zoo sanctuary visitors have never seen one in the wild. Even within his miner’s shack home, viewers often need help finding Chaos, who is usually tucked away on one of the high shelves. (Chaos came to FCZS through the Department of Fish and Game, confiscated as an illegal pet.)

Chaos has adapted well to numerous roommates in his years at the zoo. In the wild, ringtails live solitary lives, except during mating season. Chaos, however, seems to enjoy the company of current roommate Emma. He has also shared space with a skunk and several opossums.

In 2006 keepers noticed a bulging and hazing of his left eye. Further testing found age related corneal edema and the eye was removed. His right eye has recently been showing similar symptoms but treatment seems to be helping.

DOB: unknown
FCZS: unknown
Sex: Male
Weight: unknown

Ringtail Cat Chaos and Skunk Gizmo reside in the Miners Shack. If you look closely you may see Chaos sleeping on a top shelf. This replica of a California foothill Gold Rush mining camp is the result of many people's imagination and efforts. Each are native nocturnal animals common around mining camps. The arrangement suited them both.

 

More to come...

DOB: 8/05
FCZS: 2/27/06
Sex: Female
Weight: 1.8 lbs.

Nessie and her siblings were illegally smuggled into California from Tennessee. Unfortunately, Nessie was the only survivor. She was later confiscated and then raised by a volunteer from Gold Country Wildlife.

Groups of Eastern gray squirrels have been known to migrate long distances and have become common in states west of the Mississippi River. In the past, the river was the western boundary for the species. There are a few colonies of Eastern gray squirrels in this area of California, but they were brought by humans and are considered an invasive species.

Nessie is comfortable around her caretakers, but still has all of her very sharp teeth and nails, and on occasion uses them on people. She also likes to chew almost anything, which has necessitated the removal of rope, fabric hammocks, plastic toys etc.—none of which is part of a good squirrel diet. Nessie lives next to, but is kept separate from the other squirrels to avoid possible injuries.