History

CPT was incorporated in 1981 by Dr. Michael Bleyman, a geneticist at UNC, as a breeding facility for carnivores that were vanishing keystone species - species critical to the survival of their ecosystem. CPT's intent was to keep a viable population of these animals in trust until their home habitats were sufficiently protected to support them again.

As the environmental community began to appreciate the plight of these lesser known carnivores, they began to create species survival plans- organized plans for the species survival, including a national genetic registry to monitor numbers and breeding. CPT continues to send animals to other locations to take part in these programs. People began approaching CPT with large cats that needed homes- animals discarded from the entertainment industry or exotic pet trade, and CPT opened its doors to rescues.

Today, CPT is a wildlife sanctuary, providing homes to carnivores in need of rescue and educating the public about what threatens these animals: in the wild, in the pet trade, and in the entertainment industry.