Big Cats!

[rosdrise]

I went to the Exotic Feline Rescue Center this weekend. It was quite an experience. They have nearly 200 cats in their care (not all of them are on the tour as they are delicate from their past experiences). Most are rescued from pretty awful situations with owners who thought it was a good idea to try and raise a tiger. BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE MORONS.



Kisa was one such victim. Her owner really had no idea what to feed her and opted for things like puppy chow. Which... is not what a lion eats. As a result at 3 months old she was already physically and mentally stunted. She tends to stare off into space and roll around on her back adorably. She also lived with a tiger, Max, because they were put together as youngsters and don't have any of the animosity the two types of cats tend to have for each other.



I love lionesses. I think they are absolutely beautiful and it was pretty incredible getting SO CLOSE to these animals. Very unnerving, of course, since your survival instinct tells you that you probably shouldn't stay in an area where you are surrounded by 5 tigers and three lions. It was an amazing experience.

My only regret is the timing of our visit. We arrived right after this huge motorcycle gang arrived (who apparently like to visit the rescue center :D). They were all perfectly nice people (except for one obnoxious lady) but there were just SO many of them. I wish we could have been with a smaller group. Still, I had a great time.

KITTIES!



He was not interested in us being so close, so we moved off fairly quickly.



Mmmm, delicious rabbit. There was a tiger at one point just CHOWING DOWN on this huge set of ribs. But there was too much fence between us for me to get a decent shot.



That last tiger liked to spray people, so we kept a safe distance.



This lovely lady is actually blind (a problem common in white tigers due to all the inbreeding). She still could kind of see when she first arrived so she knows her way around her cage. She also tiny compared to some of the jumbo tigers I saw



There were also a few bobcats, but they never sit still long enough for you to get a picture. They're pretty adorable though, even if they would rip your face off.

Comments

[sailorgaia.livejournal.com]

Whoa, you like to dance on the wildside, I see!! I love so many of these shots! Looks exciting and fun! :3

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

You should definitely check it out if you are inclined!

[boycottbananas.livejournal.com]

So, so pretty. :3 ♥

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

I could just sit and watch them all day.

[dali-lamb.livejournal.com]

What an awesome trip! I have a hard enough time when my cat sprays my property, I don't know what I would do if a lion sprayed me as I walked by O.O

~Tori

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

There was one tiger who, for whatever reason, HATED our tour guide. When he first arrived at the center he just didn't like him (maybe his previous owner looked like him?). So on the tour when the tiger spotted him he crouched down and jumped up at him then SPRAYED. Luckily no one was hit. It was funny and terrifying all at the same time.

[jennekohan.livejournal.com]

That last tiger liked to spray people, so we kept a safe distance.

GROSS! :O

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

IKR?!

[uisceros.livejournal.com]

Aw, adorable! If I ever get a chance to change careers, my dream would be to become a large cat zookeeper/animal behaviorist. I've been in love with them since before I can remember!

Is that a mountain lion I see eating that rabbit? Mountain lions are my favorite ;D

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

It sure is! They had all kinds of mountain lions.

[flutegirl.livejournal.com]

Sooo... I should probably return your birthday gift then.

[cranberrysheep.livejournal.com]

Well, if it's declawed it should be fine.