Last Sunday, Renee and I went to Dreamworld to see the tiger cubs up close and personal. The previous week I had to get online to buy the tickets, and really didn't think I was in with a chance. Only 20 tickets each day are up for grabs, and I scored two. So then I had to convince someone to go with me, and Renee took up the offer. So the 'experience' was 20 minutes, with 20 other people, and what was supposed to be only 2 cubs, ended up being 3! They were absolutely gorgeous. The trainers tire them out beforehand, otherwise they are too much of a handful. One of the photos below show the constant bite marks in the trainer's hand.
I was suprised at how rough their coat felt. I suppose I was expecting them to feel like Jessie, but they definitely didn't. Also, unlike Jessie, their paws are not ticklish. The trainer said this was because they are not tactile animals. We got to play with their paws, but were not allowed to go near their faces, because they are in training. Seeing the marks on the trainer's hand was enough of a warning for me.When the time was up for the cubs to leave, the trainers picked them up. Because two of them were so tired, they were happy to go, but one of them screamed its head off. I've never heard a sound like it.
Afterwards, we had a quick look at the tiger island enclosure to check out the big cats. This whitish one was actually in the back enclosure when we were with the cubs, sleeping on his 'kennel', and we were within a few metres of him. They are such beautiful creatures, and I am so glad I got to get up close and personal with them. It is by far one of the coolest things I have ever done.
PS. Check out the new hardware hanging around my neck in the shots above. That would be my new digital SLR camera, and happier with it, I could not be.
