Spots, stripes and blotches: Color patterns of cat fur tracked to a key gene

Researchers discovered some of the genetics behind cat coloring, from Abyssinians and tabbies to leopards and tigers.

Your sedentary lap cat may not seem to share many similarities with its fierce relatives prowling the African savanna. But Stanford Medicine researchers have discovered a specific gene that drives much of the development of the stripes, blotches and spots that decorate all feline fur. 

"Color patterns are one of these unsolved biological mysteries; there’s no go-to model organism to study it — mice don’t have stripes or spots,” said Gregory Barsh, MD, PhD, professor emeritus of genetics. “The color patterns and variability that you see in animals like tigers, cheetahs and zebras prompted some central questions for us: What are the developmental genetic mechanisms and the cellular mechanisms that give rise to these patterns and how have they been altered during mammalian evolution to give rise to the amazing diversity of shape and form we see today?”

To read more on this story, click here: Spots, stripes and blotches: Color patterns of cat fur tracked to a key gene

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Now, 34 Years Later, 'Roar', Labeled ' the Most Dangerous Movie Ever Made' to Return to Theaters: No Animals Were Harmed During the Making of This Movie

Labeled as the most dangerous movie ever made, "Roar" was the ill-fated brainchild of Alfred Hitchcock, muse Hedren and her then-husband, "Exorcist" producer Noel Marshall. Years past schedule and millions over budget, Hollywood eventually lost interest in "Roar" and the film was never released in North America.

Now, 34 years later, Drafthouse Films is giving "Roar" its big-screen due, re-releasing it in six theaters nationwide on Friday, then expanding it to about 50 cities through May. A DVD release is planned for later this summer.

The story loosely follows a wildlife preservationist whose family comes to visit him and is attacked in their home by the animals. Most of the film has the cast running and hiding in fear as they narrowly escape the all too real danger. Dozens of scenes show full grown lions chasing the actors, pawing at their faces and even wrestling them to the ground.

While the exact number of on-set injuries remains a point of contention, the "Roar" shoot was an OSHA nightmare. Many wounds were well-documented in press coverage at the time and also in Hedren's 1985 book "The Cats of Shambala," referring to her Shambala Preserve north of Los Angeles, where "Roar" was filmed.

In one instance, Hedren was bitten on the back of the head by a lion. She also suffered fractures and skin grafts after being thrown by an elephant. Then-teenager Melanie Griffith — who quit the project for a time because she didn't want to come out of it with "half a face," according to her mother — returned to the set, only to be mauled and clawed by a lion.

Marshall, who wrote, directed and starred in the film, suffered so many bites, including a few that made the final cut, that he was eventually stricken with gangrene. And Dutch cinematographer Jan de Bont, in his first U.S. shoot, required 120 stitches after being scalped by a lion.

"I got bit really bad early on," said Noel Marshall's son, John Marshall, who wore many hats on set in addition to acting in the film. He recalled a harrowing moment when a male lion latched onto his head. It took six men 25 minutes to separate the two. That encounter required 56 stitches.

"It was a very traumatic bite. But I went back two days later," he said.

Noel Marshall (who died in 2010) was a fearless and unsympathetic leader during the shoot at Shambala, where the family lived. According to his son, the director often refused to call "cut," even when the actors (mostly family members) cried out for help. He never wanted to lose a take. He also couldn't show any weakness in front of the animals, his son said.

"Melanie and Tippi would try to gravitate to scenes with me. I would put their lives ahead of mine and they knew that," said John Marshall, who was basically the only person on set who could stand up to his father.

As one of the few cast members willing to help promote the "Roar" re-release, John Marshall said he still gets nightmares about the experience.

"Don't get me wrong, I had a wonderful time. But it was stupid," he said.

During the production, the Shambala Preserve set, located in rustic Soledad Canyon 50 miles north of Los Angeles, was destroyed by two wild fires and one flood. A few lions escaped during the deluge and local law enforcement had to shoot three of them.

And yet, as authentic as the terror is, "Roar's" flimsy story and cheesy script are sorely lacking. Even Hedren admitted as much after seeing the film at its Australia premiere.

The $17 million film only made $2 million internationally. It was also the death knell for Hedren's marriage to Noel Marshall.

And "Roar's" problems continue.

Hedren had invited The Associated Press to her Shambala home for an interview about "Roar" and concerns regarding promotion of the 're-release. But she canceled when the Board of Directors of the preserve and her Roar Foundation asked her not to speak publicly about the film.

Through a spokesman, Hedren did tell the AP that promotion for the re-release was filled with "inaccuracies" and that she was "not thrilled." She added, "There are too many for me to even begin to comment."

Drafthouse Films, the distribution arm of the hip, Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, uses press quotes like "snuff version of 'Swiss Family Robinson'" in its promos for "Roar."

"I think she's just lately come to not really be so proud of the film anymore," said Alamo Drafthouse founder and CEO Tim League, who was tipped off to its existence (and harrowing production) by indie director Greg Marcks. He immediately went in search of the rights holder and reached a deal with Olive Films to co-release the film.


League tried to contact Hedren before announcing Drafthouse's plans to re-release the film but didn't hear back until after the announcement was made.

"The whole thing is a mess," said League. "A fascinating and lovable mess."

"No animals were harmed during the making of 'Roar.' But 70 members of the cast and crew were." So claims a trailer for the theatrical re-release of a little-seen 1981 adventure film starring Tippi Hedren, daughter Melanie Griffith and 150 lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants.

Online: http://drafthousefilms.com/film/roar
















This photo provided by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films shows a scene from the film, “Roar," with actor John Marshall surrounded by lions. The movie is releasing in U.S. theaters for the first time on April 17, 2015. (Drafthouse Films/Olive Films via AP)

This photo provided by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films shows a scene from the film, “Roar," filmed with 132 lions, tigers, leopards, cougars and jaguars. The film is releasing in U.S. theaters for the first time on April 17, 2015. (Drafthouse Films/Olive Films via AP)

FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2012 file photo, Tippi Hedren, right, and daughter, Melanie Griffith, attend Fox Fall Eco-Casino Party at The Bookbindery, in Los Angeles. The little-seen 1981 animal adventure film, "Roar," starring Hedren and Griffith, with 150 wild lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants, is releasing from Drafthouse Films and Olive Films for the first time in the U.S. in select theaters Friday, April 17, 2015. The movie was available in the U.S. previously on DVD. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

This photo provided by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films shows director and star Noel Marshall in a scene from the film, “Roar.” The film is releasing in U.S. theaters for the first time on April 17, 2015. (Drafthouse Films/Olive Films via AP)

This photo provided by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films shows actresses Melanie Griffith, front, and Tippi Hedren in a scene from the film, “Roar.” The film is releasing in U.S. theaters for the first time on April 17, 2015. (Drafthouse Films/Olive Films via AP)

FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2007 file photo, actress Tippi Hedren walks across a bridge at her Shambala Preserve in Acton, Calif., prior to a news conference to update the condition of a caretaker who was attacked by a 450-pound Bengal tiger. The little-seen 1981 animal adventure film, "Roar," starring Hedren and 150 wild lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants, is releasing by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films for the first time in the U.S. in select theaters Friday, April 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

FILE - In this April 10, 2014 file photo, Tippi Hedren arrives at 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival's Opening Night Gala at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. The little-seen 1981 animal adventure film, "Roar," starring Hedren and 150 wild lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants, is releasing by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films for the first time in the U.S. in select theaters Friday, April 17, 2015. The movie was available in the U.S. previously on DVD. (Photo by Annie I. Bang /Invision/AP, File)

FILE - In this April 10, 2014 file photo, Tippi Hedren arrives at 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival's Opening Night Gala at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. The little-seen 1981 animal adventure film, "Roar," starring Hedren and 150 wild lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants, is releasing by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films for the first time in the U.S. in select theaters Friday, April 17, 2015. The movie was available in the U.S. previously on DVD. (Photo by Annie I. Bang /Invision/AP, File)

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Two Clouded Leopard Kittens Born March 9th in Miami Zoo: A Victory in the Fight to Preserve a Vulnerable Species

Two clouded leopard kittens were born this month at the Miami Zoo, a treat for the doting keepers and a victory in the fight to preserve a vulnerable species.

The medium-sized cat, which is not closely related to the African leopard, lives in forests of South East Asia and fewer than 10,000 are thought to exist in the wild.

The zoon said the kittens, both females born on March 9, are in an enclosure with their mother to "avoid any external stress and allow the mother to properly bond with them."

Their mother Serai and father Rajasi were born in 2011 in other American zoos. The kittens are the parents' second successful litter.

"Both offspring are doing well and the mother continues to be attentive and nurse them on a regular basis," the zoo said.

They already sport the clouded leopard's characteristic large, dark and cloud-like spots on a light background.

Visitors should be able to view them in the coming weeks.

Found in the wild in southern China, Myanmar and Malaysia, adult clouded leopards usually weigh between 30 and 50 pounds (14 to 23 kilograms) and have a very long tail with relatively short legs and large paws.

They eat birds and mammals such as monkeys, deer and porcupines, and are turn prey to human hunters who prize them for their pelts.

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Amur Leopard—World's Rarest Cat—Doubles in Population

Amur leopard populations have more than doubled in just seven years. New census data reveals Amur leopards in Russia’s Land of the Leopard National Park now number at least 57 cats (up from just 30 cats in 2007). And an additional 8-12 leopards were counted in adjacent areas of China.

For the census, camera traps were spread out over more than 900,000 acres of leopard habitat. Scientists then reviewed 10,000 images and identified nearly 60 individual animals, judging by the distinctive pattern of spots on the leopards’ fur. The census was carried out by the Land of the Leopard National Park jointly with the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, with the support of The Amur Leopard Center and WWF-Russia.

Land of the Leopard National Park, established in 2012,  includes all of the Amur leopard’s known breeding areas and about 60 percent of the critically endangered cat’s remaining habitat. 

Saving the world’s rarest cat
Conservationists are also working towards monitoring leopard populations across the border in neighboring Chinese nature reserves. One of the highly anticipated next steps would be the establishment of a Sino-Russian transboundary nature reserve.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done in order to secure a safe future for the Amur leopard, but these numbers demonstrate that things are moving in the right direction,” said Dr. Barney Long, Director of Species Conservation for WWF-US.

The dramatic good news for Amur leopards comes on the heels of WWF’s release of the first footage of a family of Amur tigers inside China. Both animals share the same habitat.

 

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Wildlife Resort Bans Animal Print Clothing

A wildlife park has banned visitors from wearing leopard print clothing, because it is confusing the animals.

Chessington World of Adventures Resort today introduced the zero-tolerance policy on animal print and even brought in bouncers to enforce it.

Zookeepers noticed the trend for animal print clothing had caused animals to try to communicate with those wearing it, or to run away in fear.

                                                                      You're a funny-looking leopard.

The ban follows the launch of a new experience "ZUFARI: Ride Into Africa!", which sees visitors journey off-road on a safari adventure.

They come face-to-face with white rhinos, giraffes, flamingos, water buck and other antelopes such as blesbok.

Since the launch of the 22-acre Serengeti-style trail, Chessington's zookeepers have noticed the wildlife "becoming puzzled" when spotting visitors that look like them.

ZUFARI spokeswoman Natalie Dilloway said: "ZUFARI lets visitors get so close to wild species that if someone wears the same pattern to the animal's coat they can become over friendly."

"If they wear the pattern of its predator, it has the opposite effect and the animals become afraid and run away."

Animal print-wearing visitors will be handed grey boiler suits and ordered to wear them everywhere in the park so as not to antagonize or excite other animals including lions and tigers.

Spots and stripes: Chessington World of Adventures Resort today introduced the zero-tolerance policy on animal print and brought in bouncers to enforce it.

The resort has hired Animal Print Bouncers to identify anyone wearing leggings, coats, tops, hats or dresses which flout the regulations.

Banned prints at Chessington World of Adventures Resort include zebra, giraffe, leopard, cheetah, tiger and even hyena and African wild dog.

Ms Dilloway added: "Since the launch of ZUFARI, guests have interacted with the animals more closely than ever before."

"We have noticed a lot of animals becoming baffled by animal-print-wearing guests.
The enclosures at ZUFARI have been designed to replicate the conditions species face in the wild."

"Therefore it's no wonder animals are getting confused when they see what looks like zebras and giraffes driving across the terrain in a 7.5 ton truck."

Animal behaviour consultant Dr Candy D'Sa, of Alton, Hampshire, said colors and patterns can provoke strong reactions in animals.

Zero tolerance: Those who break the rules will be forced to wear boiler suits. "We kindly ask guests to refrain from wearing animal print at the park."

Animal behavior consultant Dr Candy D'Sa, of Alton, Hampshire, said colors and patterns can provoke strong reactions in animals.

She said: "Certain coloration's give warning signals to other animals.
For instance the yellow and black stripe of a bee is there as a warning and leopard print or tiger print will trigger some sort of instinct as well."

"Colors and patterns are there for a reason in nature - it's about predator-prey interaction.
My dog has probably never seen a snake in her life but I would expect her to act with trepidation if she saw a stripy snake as opposed to a plain one."

"Movement is also a key trigger. Big cats will start getting interested if someone limps past their enclosure because they look weak."

"Possibly the worst thing you could do is limp past the lion or tiger enclosure in a zebra print outfit."

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Police in Bangkok Arrest Thai Pet Shop Owner After Finding Hundreds of Protected Animals in a Warehouse

Bangkok - A pet shop owner was arrested after Thai police found hundreds of protected animals, including rare lions, in his warehouse near Bangkok, authorities said Monday.

Police Col. Ek Ekasart said police found 14 albino lions from Africa, hundreds of birds, meerkats, tortoises, peafowls, capuchin monkeys and other species from overseas and Thailand.

They said Montri Boonprom-on, 41, faces charges of possessing wildlife and carcasses and could face up to four years in jail and a fine of 40,000 baht ($1,300).
Ek said Montri owns an exotic pet shop at Bangkok's renowned Chatuchak weekend market and was previously convicted of wildlife trade.

Thailand is a hub of the international black market in protected animals. While the country is a member of a convention regulating international trade in endangered species, Thai law does not extend protection to many alien species.

Police also found a hornbill and a leopard, both protected by Thai law, which were packed in a box and were scheduled to be delivered to clients on Monday.

"We have been monitoring the location for a few days after the neighbors complained about the noise from the animals," Ek told reporters during the raid in a residential area of Bangkok's Klong Sam Wa district. "And if you looked through the gate, you could spot lions in the cage."

Montri told reporters the lions were shipped legally to Bangkok from Africa and were waiting to be moved to a zoo in Thailand's northeast. He did not explain why only 14 lions remained at his warehouse, while the documents showed he had imported 16.
The animals were confiscated and will be under the care of the Department of Natural Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

A Thai man spays water to clean the lion's enclosure after a raid at a zoo-like house on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand Monday, June 10, 2013. Thai police and forestry officials searched and seized a number of imported and endangered animals including 14 lions from Africa and arrested the house's owner. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

Lions rest inside an enclosure after a raid at a zoo-like house on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand Monday, June 10, 2013. Thai police and forestry officials searched and seized a number of imported and endangered animals including 14 lions from Africa and arrested the house's owner. (AP Photos/Apichart Weerawong)

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