Cat Haven welcomes 2 baby jaguars

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Cat Haven in Fresno County recently welcomed two baby jaguars, and now for the first time they're making their on-camera debut.

At six weeks old, Nacho and Libre couldn't be more different.

"Nacho is more aloof than his brother is. He tends to be more, 'I am going to walk away and lay down and sleep,'" said Dale Anderson, who founded the sanctuary.

While Nacho takes cat naps, Libre explores and really, really loves a good cuddle. The jaguar cubs were born at Cat Haven. They require constant care and bottle feeding. Their parents were both rehomed from zoos.

Anderson says his goal is to save cats that cannot survive in the wild and use them to promote conservation.

"They don't have the training and skills to be able to survive, so our cats here have to be the ambassadors for their wild cousins," said Anderson.

Last year an intern, Dianna Hanson, was killed by a lion on the property after the animal escaped from a partially closed feeding cage. Cat Haven was cleared of any wrongdoing in her death.

Anderson says his team has worked hard to prevent anything similar from happening again. Recently he traveled to study animals in the wild and fund researchers there.

"You cannot save cats if you don't save people, so you have to have a people component with what you're doing," said Anderson.

The nonprofit raises money through donations. Soon the baby jaguars will make public appearances to help promote the message.

Cal/OSHA wants more locks on cage doors at Cat Haven and is calling for workers to pair up and arm themselves with pepper spray. But Anderson is appealing, saying those safety measures will put workers in greater danger.