On the same night as the Academy Awards, February 24, 2019, the Safari Park received its own award: the birth of an African black-footed cat, SDZG’s first successful birth of this species. Appropriately named Oscar, the kitten was a much-needed addition to the overall population, since it is estimated that there are fewer than 10,000 black-footed cats left in the wild. Oscar’s birth was caught on camera, allowing keepers to monitor his progress from the beginning. He grew and thrived under the protective care of his mother, Odette—from whom he learned that hissing at the keepers was a requirement, even though they brought food!