Huge Leopard Is Sleeping Inside His Cage – Watch What Happens When A Hand Reaches To Pet Him

Jan 18, 2019

Voodoo the leopard had a tough start in life. When he was only three months old, a couple bought him to be a playmate for their two Rottweilers. They also had him declawed. Voodoo still proved to be an armful, and the couple decided that he was too big and rough to be a good pet.

The Cedar Cove Tiger Park, a big cat sanctuary and educational facility in Kansas, stepped in and rescued Voodoo. He has been with them ever since.

Thirteen years later, he has become quite fond of his human caretakers and does a surprisingly convincing impression of a housecat.

Cedar Cove posted a video of Voodoo’s reaction to being petted by one of the keepers. The keeper began petting Voodoo while the latter was snoozing, and Voodoo reacted to the attention like a house cat would. He plainly wanted more.

Amusingly, he repeatedly placed one paw on his head as if to say, “Oh, yes! Rub that spot where I’ve got an itch!”

Technically, big cats are not supposed to be able to purr, but Voodoo didn’t seem to have gotten that particular memo. He produced a bunch of rumbling sounds that were plainly not growls and just as plainly showed his enjoyment of the attention he was receiving.

Cedar Cove posted another video of Voodoo, and they described him as weighing 150 pounds, which is big for a leopard.

Cedar Cove Tiger Park, also known as Cedar Cove Feline Conservatory and Education Center, was founded by Billy Dean Pottorff, a Vietnam veteran who came home haunted by the plight of the tigers there. He saw their skins and parts being sold in markets.

In 2000, he opened Cedar Cove as a sanctuary for big cats. He also established the education center so visitors could learn about them. 

Watch the video yourself and learn about Voodoo:

Doesn't Voodoo act just like a big housecat? Would you have petted him? Tell us what you think about Voodoo the leopard in the comments box below! Don't forget to pass this video along to all your animal loving friends.