Over a very special weekend in July, I was lucky to have an opportunity to interact with the 4 tiger cubs currently living at the Center for Animal Research and Education (CARE). This rare insider glimpse into the world of tigers and big cat rescue was such an honor! I was even able to play with the cubs under the supervision of CARE's founder, Heidi Berry,and other experienced handlers.
At 12-weeks old, the cubs were already very strong and tough. Even though they look small, they have a lot of muscle! Their paws are huge and their reflexes are lightning fast. They love tackling and gnawing each other and are constantly playing games of chase. Part of the fun is their wading pool, which they chase each other through. Sometimes, you catch them relaxing in the cool water to escape the scorching Texas heat.
I was able to pet them and play with them. Their fur is wiry, not soft, except around their ears. Usually when you pet them, they really want to play, so they start to gnaw and paw at you until you tell them no. People aren't as much fun as other tigers; we are very wimpy! When they are tired, it's the best, because then you can just pet them and they fall asleep. They sleep in some funny positions, too, when they finally run out of energy and drop.
Tigers make a "chuffing" noise as a greeting, and the cubs chuffed all the time. We all chuffed back! They were very happy to see people and interact with them. A day will come when they are too big and people won't go into their enclosures anymore. Until then, I know everyone at CARE will want to love on them as much as possible.
Some of my favorite pictures are of the cubs stalking a stray cat outside their enclosure. They were so intrigued by the kitty, and she just sauntered by, very cool and flirtatious. They say the local feral cats sometimes go into the tiger cub enclosure but always keep their distance. It's like a game to them, too. I loved seeing two sides of the cat kingdom come together and interact. It's a poignant thing, too, because they are all castaways: the feral kitty and the tiger cubs. Without CARE, none of them would have a home.
CARE is a 501(c)3 non-profit sanctuary for big cats, located in BridgeportTexas, and currently home to 55 lions, tigers, mountain lions, and leopards. These animals come from illegal and/or abusive situations. Big cats are illegally kept as pets, are "displayed"as advertising gimmicks until they become dangerous, are trophy pets for drug dealers and others, and are illegally trafficked for pelts and canned hunts (shootings while trapped in cages). Some CARE residents have been brutally declawed, and many have impaired vision due to malnourishment / starvation in their previous lives.
Proper feeding and housing of such large and dangerous animals is expensive. There are only a few organizations in the USA that offer lifetime homes to these unfortunates. CARE does the best they can on donations to keep their cats in good health and well fed in stimulating, clean enclosures. As part of their education and outreach, CARE also offers internships to college students and seeks to educate the public on the large underground traffic in big cats.
To make a donation to the CARE Project click here.
