'Thrill' of the wild

<p>A nearly 100-pound mountain lion strode through the Sebastopol Community Center on Sunday, standing only 10 feet from dozens of stunned and wide-eyed children.</p><p>But rather than screams of terror, oohs and ahhs erupted from the crowd gathered to observe some of the world's most impressive cats -- on leashes.</p><p>The educational event was the first of four presentations by the organization Leopards Etc. to be held at the community center this year.</p><p>"I couldn't breathe," Jordan Markahm, a 10-year-old from Santa Rosa, said. "It was such a thrill. So cool."</p><p>Leopards Etc. is run by husband and wife Rob and Barbara Dicely, who raise wild cats such as African leopards and cheetahs on their property in Occidental. For 22 years, they have presented big cats at schools and community spaces to increase awareness of their wonders and perils.</p><p>Children and adults learn to respect the power of wild cats, but also to recognize the effects humans have on the habitats of the spectacular animals -- some of which face extinction.</p><p>Rob Dicely walked on stage with a fully grown cheetah capable of reaching 45 mph in just three strides. The feline jumped atop an impromptu catwalk, pacing back and forth on two cafeteria tables pushed together. Dicely not only held its leash, but had the cord attached to his body.</p><p>Jordan pressed against the stage to get a good look at the cheetah striding just six feet from where he stood. He could see the cat's lean muscles ripple with its every movement. But he could also hear the message behind the spectacle.</p><p>"I learned that wild cats shouldn't be killed," Jordan said. "And they shouldn't be kept as pets."</p><p>Barbara Dicely used the opportunity to address a question from the audience about the Siberian tiger that escaped its enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo on Christmas Day and killed Carlos Sousa Jr., 17, and mauled two other young men.</p><p>"There is a lot of controversy about whether the boys were taunting the tiger," she said. "But that is totally irrelevant. The tiger shouldn't have been able to get out."</p><p>Dicely explained that she and her husband only raise wild cats that grow to weigh 100 pounds or less, because larger cats such as the 250-pound tiger would be impossible to control on a leash. Maintaining safety is paramount to the effort of encouraging people to to help preserve the wild cats.</p><p>Tiah-Marie Foley had no concerns about attending the community center's wild cat event last year with her two young children. But that changed following the San Francisco Zoo tragedy.</p><p>"I was nervous this time," Foley said. "It was definitely in my mind."</p><p>Her 7-year-old did not share the concern.</p><p>"It's so cool," said Cami Foley. "My favorite was the snow leopard."</p><p>With the spectacular cats providing an inroad to young minds, Barbara Dicely delivered her message: "We are the species that will decide what other species survive. And we are the ones who will decide which species will go extinct."</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Nathan Halverson at 521-5494 or nathan.halverson@</p><p>pressdemocrat.com.</p>