Mtn. lion removed from Chepachet home

CHEPACHET, R.I. (WPRI) - A mountain lion being kept as a pet was removed from a Chepachet home early Thursday morning.

Experts from the television network Animal Planet were set to lead the removal of Narla, with assistance from Glocester animal control officers. However, when animal control arrived at the Whipple Ave. home around 8 a.m., the big cat was already gone. Apparently, crews from Big Cat Rescue helped remove the cat named Narla from the home.

According to animal control, the property owners were legally allowed to keep Narla under an exotic wildlife permit. There are about two dozen such permits valid in Rhode Island.

Narla's owner, Marilyn Loppi, said her husband got the lion as a cub in 1996 and that she was spayed and declawed. However, after Loppi's  husband passed away in May, she said she could no longer afford to take care of the cat, who weighs in at about 90 pounds.

"She was never a problem. People would always come by and ask to see her," Loppi said. "It's time for her to have a change."

According to producer Johnny Beechler, the rescue was scheduled to be featured in an Animal Planet reality show featuring Scott Lope, who is a big cat advocate and the winner of the network's 2009 Hero of the Year award. Lope is also the director of Big Cat Rescue.

Loppi said she has been texting Lope as he drives south to the sanctuary in Florida. She said Scott has told her Narla is fine and is sleeping.

"I don't want her to have to stay here in the winter anymore. She will get more stimulation there," she said.