werner@aecom.yu.edu (Craig Werner) (03/05/90)
Some followup to an earlier posting about crossing domestic cats
with some species of wild cats:
The leopards are in fact Asian Leopards, which are miniature to
begin with. They are crossed with Ocicats (Egyptian mau), a striped
domestic cat. This was first done in 1970 by Williard Centerwall because
the Asian Leopard is naturally resistant to feline leukemia, as is the
hybrid. The first generation females are fertile, but the males are
sterile. The same is true with the 2nd backcross generation. The third
backcross (which is 1/8 Asian leopard) produces fertile males.
Currently the commercial breeding is done by Louisa Fedora
and Tricia Carlton at Movado Farm, Durham, CT. The cats will be shown for
the first time at the Internation Cat Association's show this weekend
at Madison Square garden. Currently, no more deposits for the breed,
called the 'Bengal leopard' are being accepted.
Source: page B2 of the Hartford Courant, Sunday, March 4, 1990, column 1.
--
Craig Werner (future MD/PhD, 4.5 years down, 2.5 to go)
werner@aecom.YU.EDU -- Albert Einstein College of Medicine
(1935-14E Eastchester Rd., Bronx NY 10461, 212-931-2517)
"My philosophy, like color TV, is all there in black and white."