Wrestling with tigers and feeding the lions

While Mark's parents, Gary and Gail, were visiting us in June, we took them up to Zebula Lodge in Bela Bela for a weekend getaway.  Located about 2 hours north of our home, is a lodged situated on it's own game reserve.  One reason I choose this lodge was because of it's possibilities for animal interactions.
On our first full day there, we signed up to play with lion and tiger cubs.

First up, two baby lion cubs, one boy and one girl who were 3 weeks old.  For an hour we got to feed them with a bottle, pet them and play.

Due to their age, we could not pick them up and cuddle them but had to let them come to us and hope they would crawl in our laps.  

They were quite accommodating and loved the attention.  Adalyn really enjoyed her time with them as finding animals to interact with that are actually smaller than her is hard to come by.  

Soft as a baby kitten, I could have spent hours with them cuddling and just watching them prance around.  When our time was up with the lion cubs we headed over to the tigers.

Two tiger cubs, 6 months old each were housed in an enclosure and due to their age and size, Adalyn could not interact with them. 

 We went into the area in pairs with Gary and I first.  

The tigers were ready to play and the tiger handler gave us great information on how to interact with them and we learned alot about their behavior and way of life.  Despite being only 6 months old these tigers were about the size of a large dog, but with huge teeth of course.  

The handler said they would bite and it would hurt so I was apprehensive from the start, I mean who wants to be bit by a tiger.  Already keen to hunting, we were told to watch out for both tigers as one would try to distract you as the other would come from behind and jump on you.  I basically stayed right next to the handler and only petted the tigers when they passed by.  

Before the playing ensued I managed to get a picture
while this tiger saved his energy for the wrestling match with Gary. 

It all started with a friendly handshake

Little did Gary know, he was in for a once in a lifetime experience.  With no fear he played with the tigers as if they were common house cats.  The handler said the tigers liked to play with Gary because of the coat he was wearing.  Loose fitting and with it unzipped it would blow and move as he did, therefore attracting the tigers. I would have removed my coat that instant, but Gary evidentially knew what he was doing.

From all angles Gary was basically attacked with each tiger going after an arm.  Gary just swatted them away and the handler commented on how good Gary was at that, he said he could tell Gary had dogs.  I guess we know what Gary has been doing in retirement, training to wrestle tigers.   

One lucky tiger did manage to sink his teeth into Gary's hand and draw blood, but that did not stop Gary from continuing his wrestling match.  

Tigers circling their prey

What a good sport Gary was as I tried my best to capture it all on camera.  I of course was way too afraid by this point to even pet them as Gary had them all excited to play.  Our time came to a close, I tried to get a nice picture of Gary with his new friends, but they pretty much viewed Gary as a chew toy so the tigers were not about to sit still.

Next up was Gail and Mark into the tiger enclosure.  Gary must have won the wrestling match because by the time Gail and Mark came in the tigers decided to lay down and nap.  The handler brought in some bottles of milk to try and coax the tigers to get up and play, and thankfully it worked otherwise Gail would have missed out on a great animal interaction.  

The tigers spent no time drinking, downing their bottles in minutes, then decided to sun themselves and let Gail and Mark pet them.  Lounging in the grass, Gail and Mark had free reign to basically lay down and cuddle with the tigers.  I was quite jealous that I did not get this experience, next time I will have to send in Mark to wear them out first. 

A true Mizzou fan, meets a real Truman the tiger.

I was glad to get some great photos for Gail and Gary to help remember their African adventure.  I am glad Gary lived to tell the story of being bit by a tiger because not many can say that.