Ologies with Alie Ward

Episode: Megafelinology (SNOW LEOPARDS + OTHER BIG CATS) with Dr. Imogene Cancellare

Date: March 25, 2026
Host: Alie Ward
Guest: Dr. Imogene Cancellare, Conservation Biologist, Snow Leopard Researcher

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into megafelinology—the study of big cats—with renowned wildlife biologist Dr. Imogene Cancellare. From taxonomy and genetics to conservation fieldwork and quirky cat behaviors, Alie and Imogene explore the awe-inspiring lives of snow leopards, cheetahs, lions, and more. You’ll hear field stories from remote mountain ranges, learn about cutting-edge genetic research, and discover what really unites big cats—from their giant “toe beans” to their affinity for Calvin Klein cologne.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Imogene’s Origin Story and Gateway to Big Cats [05:19]

• Cat Obsession: Imogene shares she’s been fascinated by cats since childhood, with cheetahs as her “gateway cat.”
• Career Path: She started in animal science, detoured from veterinary ambitions after discovering wildlife conservation through fieldwork in Australia.
• Fieldwork Highlights: Early jobs included a tiger sanctuary (no-touch, accredited, not "Tiger King" style) and bobcat research in Montana.
• Domestic vs. Wild Behavior: Imogene affirms, “All cats are the same, really, in one way or another.” [07:17]

2. Cat Trapping Techniques & House Cat Parallels [08:04]

• Bobcat Capture: Used shiny CDs to lure bobcats into humane box traps—“They cannot resist that!” [09:17]
• Box & Box Behavior: Wild big cats (like tigers in sanctuaries) love boxes for hiding, much like domestic cats.

3. Defining a “Big Cat”: Taxonomy, Size, and Roaring [12:10]

• Taxonomic Debate: Panthera genus includes lion, tiger, jaguar, common leopard, and snow leopard—“Those guys are basically irrefutable. They’re in the club.”
• Roaring vs. Purring: Not all ‘big cats’ can roar; flexible hyoid bone is key (snow leopards, pumas, and cheetahs can't truly roar). “We do often say that there are seven big cats.” [17:52]
  • Notable Quote: “Some folks argue… North American mountain lion and the cheetah should also be considered big cats, and I agree.” [15:41]
• Weight & Size Oddities: Snow leopard is the smallest Panthera, yet pumas/cheetahs are heavier but not Panthera.

4. Spotting the Difference: Cheetah, Leopard, Jaguar [20:13]

• Field Marks:
  • Cheetahs: solid black spots, black tear lines on face.
  • Jaguars: “rosettes”—open circle spots.
  • Common leopards: more irregular black spots.
• Fashion PSA: “Animal print clothing is always incorrect, and that drives me bonkers… fashion industry just doesn’t do a good job.” [22:35]

5. Journey into Snow Leopard Research & Fieldwork [23:35]

• Missed Opportunity Becomes Destiny: Initially failed to land a snow leopard job in Tajikistan, but persistence paid off years later: “I was a dog with a bone. Or a cat with a mouse.” [26:09]
• Non-invasive Genetic Sampling:
  • Collected poop (scat) from mountains as DNA source.
  • “My trade is all cat poop.” [27:35]
• Field Realities: Harsh high-altitude conditions, altitude sickness ("Could not get my resting heart rate below 120" [30:20]), snickers bars as survival food.
  • Notable Quote: “The best possible option is a whole Snickers bar.” [32:54]
• Teamwork with Locals: Training herders to collect scat samples.

6. Unintended Discovery: Endangered Dholes Return [34:02]

• First scat collected in Kyrgyzstan (Sample #001) turned out to be from a dhole (Asiatic wild dog) not seen in region in 30+ years.
• Notable Quote: “We documented… the presence of a dhole… that had been extirpated for over 30 years.” [34:50]

7. Listener Q&A: Cat Anatomy and Behavior

• Pawed with Purpose: Lynx and snow leopards have outsized paws (true snow shoes) for snowy terrains. Toe beans are rougher and more calloused than house cats. [42:58]
• Tail Talk: Cheetah and snow leopard tails serve as rudders for balance—“Cheetahs use their tail like a boat rudder.” Snow leopards even use their tails as scarves. [45:44], [47:10]
  • Lynxes have stubby tails due to different hunting adaptations.
  • “All cats with tails use them for balance... but also as cues to indicate their mood.” [45:05]
• Biting Their Own Tails: Snow leopards do hold their tails, especially in captivity (sometimes as a self-soothing behavior). It also helps warm air before it reaches their nose in freezing temperatures. [49:08]
• Learning to Hunt: Cubs spend up to 18 months with mom, learning through both observation and supervised practice. Prey like markhor can be dangerous—injuries, broken bones are common. [52:09]

8. Floof, Roars, and Biscuits

• Fur Texture: Not as soft as they look—dense undercoat for warmth, but coarser than house cats. [55:19]
• Eye Color: Snow leopards have “beautiful greenish-yellow, almost aquamarine eyes.” [56:38]
• Vocalizations: Cheetahs “chirp,” female bobcats in heat “scream like a human being murdered.” [58:10]
  • Roaring is limited to some Panthera; meowing is rare.
• Loafing & Biscuits: Yes, big cats do both! Mountain lions make biscuits on trees (partly as territorial scrapes). [67:45]

9. Catnip, Cologne, and Enrichment [62:23]

• Catnip: Some big cats (especially tigers) respond slightly, but not with the fervor of house cats.
• Obsession for Men (Calvin Klein): Astonishingly effective for enrichment and attracting big cats to camera traps. “They’ll kill your mama to get closer to that smell.” [65:26]

10. Big Cat Encounters: Safety & Conservation [69:07]

• Selfie Incident: First documented snow leopard attack on a human (a skier approached for a selfie—don’t do that!)
  • “Never approach wild animals, especially big cats… and definitely never for a selfie.” [70:23]
• Safety Guidelines: If you encounter a big cat (esp. mountain lion): make eye contact, get big, yell, and never run—be ready to fight if needed. Bear spray is useful. [74:26-75:53]
• Field Encounter Story: Imogene narrowly avoids surprising a mother and juvenile mountain lion, parting advice: “If the hair on the back of your neck stands up… look up and look around.” [77:22]

11. Big Cat Conservation Status & Human Impact [79:19]

• Threats: Habitat fragmentation, urban sprawl, poaching (“wildlife trade market is the 2nd most prolific underground market after drugs”), and climate change.
• Border Barriers: Walls and fences disrupt gene flow and population health—“A mountain lion has no idea what Texas is, or what Mexico is. Those are artificial constructs.” [83:23]
• Most Endangered: Amur leopard, Sumatran tiger, South China tiger (likely extinct), and Iberian lynx.
• What Can Listeners Do?
  • Support organizations working with local people and communities.
  • “You can’t care about big cats and not care about the people who live alongside them…everything is political.” [82:47]
  • Collaboration and data sharing across borders is crucial.

12. Big Cat Attitude & Why We Love Them [85:29]

• “Everything about wild cats is so much better than every other carnivore… they are so audacious in everything that they do… I have so much respect for how incredibly grumpy and audacious and badass cats are. That’s my professional opinion.” [85:29]

Notable Quotes (w/ Timestamps)

• “All cats are the same, really, in one way or another.” – Imogene [07:17]
• “We documented… the presence of a dhole… that had been extirpated for over 30 years.” – Imogene [34:50]
• “The best possible option is a whole Snickers bar.” – Imogene [32:54]
• “Some folks argue… North American mountain lion and the cheetah should also be considered big cats, and I agree.” – Imogene [15:41]
• “Never approach wild animals and we should definitely never approach something that can hurt us… especially big cats.” – Imogene [70:23]
• “Everything about wild cats is so much better than every other carnivore… I have so much respect for how incredibly grumpy and audacious and badass cats are. That’s my professional opinion.” – Imogene [85:29]
• “You can’t care about big cats and not care about the people who live alongside them… everything is political.” – Imogene [82:47]

Important Timestamps

• [05:19] Imogene’s scientific and career background
• [08:04] Bobcat trapping techniques using shiny CDs
• [12:10] What makes a big cat: taxonomy and roaring
• [23:35] Snow leopard research—origins and fieldwork
• [27:35] Non-invasive DNA research using scat
• [34:02] Discovery: Dholes rediscovered in Kyrgyzstan
• [42:58] All about big cat paws and “toe beans”
• [45:05] Tails as rudders, scarves, and signals
• [49:08] Snow leopards holding tails in mouth: why?
• [52:09] How cubs learn to hunt and survive cliffs
• [55:19] Are snow leopards as soft as they look?
• [58:10] Big cat vocalizations (and nightmare bobcat screams)
• [62:23] Do big cats like catnip? (plus: obsession with Obsession for Men)
• [67:45] Biscuits and loafing: yes, big cats do them too!
• [69:07] Big cat attack/safety tips (snow leopard selfie story)
• [79:19] Conservation challenges, endangered status, and what listeners can do
• [83:23] The artificiality of borders for wildlife
• [85:29] Imogene’s professional love letter to big cats

Memorable Moments

• The accidental discovery of dholes through a single scat sample kept in a nylon glove.
• Confirmation that Calvin Klein’s Obsession for Men cologne is the secret weapon in cat science.
• The detailed, heart-pounding story of almost running into a mother and juvenile mountain lion in the wild.
• Imogene’s passionate explanation of why conservation requires centering local communities, not outsiders.

Further Resources

• Snow Leopard Trust (chosen charity): snowleopard.org
• Imogene Cancellare on Instagram/Bluesky: @biologistimaging
• Alie Ward / Ologies: Patreon for Q&A, SMOLOGIES for clean/kid-friendly episodes

Final Thoughts

This episode of Ologies is a treasure trove of big cat science, quirky anecdotes, and career wisdom for animal lovers—completely dispelling the myth that field biology is all glamour (it’s often about poop, altitude sickness, and Snickers bars). Dr. Imogene Cancellare masterfully mixes humor and hard science—reminding us that saving big cats is as much about empathy and global perspective as DNA and camera traps.

Recommended for: Anyone who loves cats, wildlife, field research stories, or wants actionable insight into conservation.