North Bay Couple Brings Wild Cats To Schools For Conservation Lessons
SEBASTOPOL (KPIX 5) Rob and Barbara Dicely give a rare look at some wildcats, like an ocelot and leopard they recently took to Twin Hills Middle School in Sebastopol.
"Look at how his back legs point to the side," Barbara Dicely told the youngsters, indicating the ocelot.
The husband-wife team rank among these students' favorite visitors. Principal Cathy Bosch of Twin Hills says they are 'awesome."
"They're great, they're authentic. The kids are captivated by it. They just love it."
"She is not a solid black cat," Barbara Dicely continued, showing off the leopard. "She has the same rosettes that a gold leopard has"
The Dicelys have been educating school and community groups all over the Bay Area for 30 years through their nonprofit Wild Cat Education and Conservation Fund. They do not get a salary. To pay for the animals' upkeep, they charge a fee for their off-site presentations, and offer private tours on their property. They also hold fundraisers and donate part of that money to other conservation funds.
"The message is that these amazing animals are disappearing," Barbara explained.
"In order to care about something, you have to know about it," Rob added.
Students like 8th grader Aidan Smith get the message.
"We need to start creating habitat or leaving them habitats 'cause it's sad how a bunch of animals are becoming extinct because of us," Smith said.
The Dicelys take their "ambassador" cats to about 70 groups a year.
They travel from their home, a licensed compound in the Sonoma County forest, where they care for 21 cats on their 22-acre property.
The wildcats range from 6 to 100 pounds and come from licensed breeding facilities.
They're young enough for the Dicelys to train by hand, to go on a leash, get into a transport carrier, and feel comfortable with large audiences. Only Rob and Barbara get close and touch them.
"People ask me how long it takes to train them," Rob said. "It takes a lifetime, because every day's a new day. I just love the animals and the fact that I think we're doing something worthwhile."
So for three decades of wildcat conservation education, this week's Jefferson Award in the Bay Area goes to Barbara and Rob Dicely