Black leopard poses in Virginia City

VIRGINIA CITY -- People from all over the world visit Sheba, the black leopard. By posing in pictures with patrons for more than 11 years, Sheba helps generate funds for the protection of other exotic animals in Nevada.

Peter Renzo, Sheba's owner, obtained a business permit from Storey County commissioners Tuesday, allowing him to appear with his leopard outside of Virginia City's Firehouse restaurant and saloon.

Customers who want their picture taken with Sheba are asked for a $10 donation to the Sabre Foundation, a nonprofit that Renzo created about two years ago. SABRE stands for Siberians Are Becoming Rapidly Extinct. It also is named after Sabre, Renzo's 1,050-pound Siberian tiger, who died a few years ago.

"Our mission is to save all Siberian tigers," Renzo said. "We are working in coordination with other organizations to help other endangered cats as well. We want to preserve these cats for the people that love to have them around."

Renzo and the foundation's four Siberian tigers and leopard stay on a friend's property in Silver Springs. The foundation is looking for a permanent facility to provide refuge for the animals.

Renzo said the upkeep and care of the exotic animals is extremely costly. He has sought the help of local 4-H, 20-30 clubs and other organizations for funds for the caging, land and eight tons of food the animals consume yearly.

Renzo attended two public hearings and obtained an insurance policy in order to be granted permission to conduct business, said Storey County Sheriff Pat Whitten.

"He had a lot of businesses that wanted him, but the Firehouse restaurant was the only one that met all the state health requirements," Whitten said.

Renzo said Virginia City was more appealing for his purposes than most local towns and cities.

"We chose Virginia City because its tourism and economy is conducive to our needs," Renzo said. "People see something unusual and want their picture with it, and it really helps the foundation."

Sheba has appeared sporadically at the restaurant for 1 1/2 weeks. Renzo said he is planning a large event to gain support for the organization in mid-August.