Jump into Spring Early at the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound’s 2012 Spring Twilight Tour in Rosamond, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7.

EFBC’s Feline Conservation Center will host this first Twilight Tour of the year, inviting guests to visit during evening hours and find out what wild cats actually do at night.

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This year, the center is requesting people pay careful attention to the scheduling, as this first Twilight Tour is coming a little early, at the beginning of April as opposed to the end of the month as is traditional. Additionally, in an effort to keep up with rising costs and expense of housing almost 80 rare wild felines, the admission to the Twilight Tour has increased from $15 to $20 per person.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. – Admission is $20 per person (18 years+ ADULTS ONLY – no exceptions). Advance Tickets are available in limited supply by contacting EFBC directly for purchase. Advance Tickets allow entrance 1/2 hour early at 5 p.m.

2012 promises to be full of surprises, as we celebrate 35 years dedicated to the preservation and conservation of endangered wild feline species. As part of the center’s beautification and improvements project, side walking and fencing has been completed around much of EFBC and down to the newest Project Tiger exhibit. Construction of the new habitat for tigers is in its final phases, and guests can now walk down to view the scale of the project which has been the center’s largest endeavor. When complete, it is EFBC’s goal to welcome a breeding pair of tigers of one of the rarer subspecies; however, the challenge there is to find a genetically compatible pair and then anticipate that their personalities will also be compatible.

The EFBC thanks all of its members and patrons for their unwavering support. Given the uneven economic climate, it hasn’t always been easy keeping up with expenses and new projects. However, for those who are advocates of wildlife preservation the center continues to meet new challenges and even grow and improve to the benefit of both visitors and especially its wild feline residents.

The Twilight Tours are an integral part of EFBC’s public awareness and educational programs to promote endangered species preservation and conservation. Visitors have a chance to see one of the world’s largest collections of rare wild feline species during their most active period and are witness to animal behaviors not ordinarily seen during normal zoo experiences.

Enrichment items, “toys,” will be given to EFBC felines to pique their interest, as well as provide amusing entertainment. Guests will definitely want to see our South East Asian Fishing Cats receive their treats of live fish. This is the perfect time to bring cameras and video equipment. Felines not ordinarily on exhibit to the general public will also be available for viewing; like EFBC’s newest arrivals, a pair of Sand Cats, and the new male Persian Leopard, that we are hopeful will be a good match for our young female.

To add to the evening’s festivities, the Lancaster Rotary will provide barbecue, a variety of sweet treats will be available at the bake sale, and guests will have a chance to win a variety of fun items at the raffle.

Proceeds raised by EFBC from this Twilight Tour will be used to continue endangered wild feline species preservation and breeding programs, as well as construction, maintenance projects, and animal habitat improvements.

The EFBC’s Feline Conservation Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, housing more than 75 rare felines representing 19 wild feline species. Since 1977, and through its very successful captive breeding management programs, the EFBC has been working with other zoos and facilities, worldwide, in an effort to save endangered feline species from extinction. Guests can visit the EFBC during its regular business hours, daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Wednesdays) and view large wildcats like the familiar jaguars and

leopards as well as smaller and lesser known species like Southeast Asian Fishing Cats, and Margays and many more. Admission is nominal, and parking is FREE. For more information, directions and ticket purchases, please call (661) 256-3793 or log on to

www.wildcatzoo.org.