The Big Cat Sanctuary is delighted to announce the return of Tocho, our much-loved male puma, who arrived back at the sanctuary on 20th October 2025 to begin his well-earned retirement.
Tocho arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary at 8 months old in November 2012. He lived at the sanctuary for 8 years and is well remembered for being a strikingly handsome male puma.
After many happy years at the sanctuary, Tocho later moved away in 2020 to allow The Big Cat Sanctuary to focus on expanding and improving habitat developments. Now, five years later, Tocho has returned home to Kent to spend his golden years in peace and comfort under the expert care of our keeping team.
The name Tocho comes from the Hopi language, meaning “mountain lion” a fitting tribute to his strength and fearless nature.
Also known as cougars, mountain lions, panthers, or catamounts, pumas have the widest range of any wild cat species, stretching from Canada to South America. Their size varies across regions, with the largest individuals found in the northern and southern extremes. Known for their incredible power, adult males like Tocho are capable of bringing down large prey and can produce an extraordinary range of vocalisations, from hisses and chirrups to the eerie screams often heard during mating season.
Although pumas are classed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, they still face growing threats from habitat loss and human conflict and are even considered critically endangered in areas such as Florida.
Tocho’s return not only welcomes a familiar face but also gains an additional opportunity to educate visitors about pumas and the conservation challenges it faces.
Tocho has been settling in beautifully and now lives next door to Valentina, who happens to be his aunt. The two have been quietly reacquainting through their habitats, making for a lovely family reunion in the heart of the Kent countryside.
Welcome home, Tocho!
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