the tiger-whisperers
Posted on | March 11, 2010 | 23 Comments
not content with sorting out kittens in bali, we today expanded our operations to include tigers in thailand.
specifically, the gorgeous beasties at the tiger kingdom in chiang mai.
at this park, they allow you to get right into the enclosures with the tigers…and pat them.
these tigers are all born in captivity and hand raised and handled constantly…even so, i wasn’t too keen to get right down and roll around with them.
i have seen what a swipe from a normal-sized house cat can do, and even though the chiang mai tigers are beautiful and friendly, i was still somewhat wary.
the handlers are very slick….they form a triangular wedge around you at all times, and they are very conscious of where the tigers are and which way they are oriented and where they are moving off to.
they slide out of shot magically when photos are happening and they have real respect and affection for the big cats.
and who wouldn’t….the tiger is simply beautiful and just breathtakingly magnificent up close.
these tigers were clean, healthy and relaxed and their enclosures were immaculate.
we saw handlers picking up leaves from the ground and there wasn’t a speck of dirt anywhere.
they also had large pools filled with clean water and we watched two tigers playing in the water which was adorable.
the tigers prefer swimming later in the day…when it gets hot. and who doesn’t?
i fed one of the babies his bottle, but no photos! damn!
well, without too much more yammering and bleating superlatives….because that is what tigers do to you…..here are the photos:
the five month old male:
the five month old female:
tiger toes:
babies swarming maurice…check out the one sneaking up from the rear!
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23 Responses to “the tiger-whisperers”
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March 11th, 2010 @ 8:01 PM
Oh that is just leaving me completely speechless. I cannot begin to imagine what an awesome experience that would be.
Lisa
March 11th, 2010 @ 8:03 PM
lisa…it left us kind of speechless too.
it was just as amazing as we could imagine.
March 11th, 2010 @ 9:27 PM
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
Thanks for sharing!
March 11th, 2010 @ 9:40 PM
All I can say is WOW! Amazing!!!!
Hope you guys are having a fantastic time! looking forward to catching up and hearing all about it when you are back in Cairns!!
Take care,
D&L
March 11th, 2010 @ 10:02 PM
Absolutely breahtaking!
You and Maurice look so delighted.
I especially like the tiger tummies and toes… *Squee*!!
March 11th, 2010 @ 10:23 PM
OMG… I can tell by your faces that those tiggies did the same thing to you that the hefflelumps did to me. Amazing the way the emotions swirl through you, isn’t it? Your faces say it all… a life changing experience. XO!!
March 11th, 2010 @ 10:51 PM
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEE!
March 11th, 2010 @ 11:36 PM
OMG!!! How amazing was that experience? the pictures are gorgeous!
March 11th, 2010 @ 11:40 PM
Oh My Goodness! What an incredible sight! I love cats, BIG and small, what an experience for you. The pictures are great, did the handlers take the ones of you and M?
Michelle in NV
March 12th, 2010 @ 12:00 AM
Such amazing animals! What an experience this must have been.
March 12th, 2010 @ 12:33 AM
oh patti….I am in awe.
those pics of the babies upside down on you and Maurice just kill me!!
March 12th, 2010 @ 2:50 AM
TIGERS!! BABY TIGERS!!!!!!!
What an amazing experience! 
I bet you two had a ball! Did you sneak one off in your bag? 
March 12th, 2010 @ 3:54 AM
Oh, that just takes my breath away. The shots are gorgeous. Can you even believe it! That’s really amazing. Love love love the “feets”.
March 12th, 2010 @ 4:15 AM
Here, kitty, kitty!!!
Oh, wow!! I’ve always wanted to cuddle a big, big kitty like that.
March 12th, 2010 @ 5:30 AM
Wow guys, AMAZING! Hope you are enjoying your travels!
Speaking of which I need insider tips for traveling in Bali and Fiji- am planning a sojourn there at the end of the year! Will pester you when you are back in Oz!
March 12th, 2010 @ 5:37 AM
Absolutely beautiful Patti – & the tigga’s look pretty good too!
March 12th, 2010 @ 7:41 AM
You and No1 son-in-law look like you have both given birth!!!!
Just that look people get of “awe and omG, look what I have done?”
Love Ma
March 12th, 2010 @ 9:35 AM
the things we do to try and get insurance from our partners
March 12th, 2010 @ 9:42 AM
wow, how amazing that you got to experience this.
March 12th, 2010 @ 10:28 AM
the photos are absolutely wonderful, you both look so well, enjoy and can’t wait to catch up when you return…
March 13th, 2010 @ 4:21 PM
I’d like to see Mel’s face when he next house sits and finds kitten no 7 is an orange and black striped one!
March 15th, 2010 @ 11:14 AM
Holy guacomole what beautiful creatures! Incredible experience – love the photo of the paw!
March 15th, 2010 @ 11:42 AM
Hi Patti and maurice,
Lovely to hear from you ……and what a super thing to be able to indulge in such rich life experiences.Truly magnificent photos.
Love always kerrin