For as long as I can remember, I've always been fascinated by all things feline - particularly tigers. I even sponsor a Siberian tiger named Nastassia through the World Wildlife Fund. Many times I've stood spellbound in front of some tiger enclosure or other, wanting desperately to touch one, if only briefly. I never thought I'd ever have the chance, as I had not had the presence of mind to go into zoology or animal training in college.
On Tuesday, August 1st, 2000, I realized my lifelong dream of touching a tiger. Not just one, not even two, but four tigers - and an African lion! I'm still in kitty shock, and already plotting the opportunity to spend time with these magnificent creatures again as soon as I'm able!
Last summer, a poster from RMAAG signed my guestbook, encouraging me to visit his web page for the Siberian Tiger Foundation. I was thrilled to find it, and even more thrilled to know that the foundation is located in Ohio! From that moment on, I began plotting. I finally managed to convince Mark that we absolutely had to go, I wanted to see the tigers up close for my 30th birthday. Might as well do something memorable for a milestone birthday, right? The picture to the left is the Foundation's brochure - click on it to go to their page and find out how you can make an appointment to see these beautiful animals!
It took forever to get an appointment to see the tigers, but I jumped at the earliest one I could get, a full month before my birthday. I don't mind that it was early. I'd rather have an early trip to do something I've dreamed of since I knew what a tiger was, than suffer through some silly "Over The Hill" party!
The Siberian Tiger Foundation is located in Gambier, OH, east of Mt. Vernon and Kenyon College, on a very large plot of land set far back from the road. The Foundation's cats, a Royal Bengal named Imara, Siberians Nikita and Simba, lions Sasha and Joseph and cubs Ekaterina, Sher Khan (both Siberians) and Sierra (a White Bengal) are incredibly well treated and very happy. They are not tame, but they are declawed, and kept on chains for the duration of a close encounter. I thought they'd mind being restricted, but they don't really seem to care. They are humanely disciplined - no whips, cattle prods, chairs or hitting - cats who get too rough or otherwise misbehave are sprayed with vinegar (they really hate that! Barbara said they'll sulk after being sprayed, and mend their behavior). A light tap on the nose with the words "Let go!" will convince a nibbler that he needs to let go. These cats are left to play and pounce, and they will happily take your arm in their mouths (but not bite!) to try to encourage you to play, too. Wow.
The cats' human companions are very respectful of the animals, and obviously love them very much. It was the most amazing thing to see these women saunter up to 800 pounds of Siberian tiger to brush his teeth (with chicken flavored toothpaste!), then scratch him behind the ears and kiss him as if he were just a little housecat! I want that job. Moments after seeing that, I had my arms around Imara - I didn't want to let go!
There is nothing I can say that would do this kind of experience justice. Words just aren't enough, so I'll let my pictures and their captions tell the story. Please take the time to check out the Foundation's web page, and enjoy the pictures.
My Tiger Pictures
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