WHERE_THE_WILD_THINGS

I heard about the golden cubs after a news clip on TV about some new babies at a wildlife park called Noah's Land. They were Golden Cub Tabby Tigers whose parents are both white-gene tigers. When I called the park to inquire, I was told, "Yes, the cubs are still here, even though there are a lot of interested, potential buyers. The Goldens are very rare." When I asked, "How rare?" The woman at the other end of the line answered," We had heard there are only 15 in the whole world, but when we tried to track them down, we couldn't find even half that many." The lack of strong striped markings on the Golden Tigers gives them a soft gold-colored coat. Somehow, this same trait seems to make them highly susceptible to skin diseases, and this is probably the reason for their rarity.

Personally, I wanted to see these rare cats. Finally, in the middle of January, when my good friend and goddaughter, Dana, came to visit me, we took a day trip to Noah's Land.

January 2000 (and years after my first visit), I found my way back to Noah's Land, where, they claimed to be saving species two by two. The set of cubs that I had heard about had out grown the nursery by the time that I got around to visiting, but they had a new set of cubs--one was a golden tabby. The sisters, Takara (the golden) and Samu were three weeks old. There was a sign on the nursery door, beside the viewing window, that advertised photos with the cubs for eight dollars. My friends and I couldn't pass up this unique opportunity. Would we ever get another chance to hold a baby tiger? Most likely not. These cubs quickly outgrow the cuddly, safe size.

For eight dollars we could have gotten a Polaroid taken by one of the staff. We passed on the Polaroid's (me being a photographer and all), but we got plenty of our own shots. We were more than happy to give up the money to experience this pleasure and to help support what we were told was a non-profit organization.

Paint on a wall of the compound, where the apes are, told us every day 137 species of wildlife becomes extinct. It also said that in Texas 184 are gone, and that the primary cause for all extinction is habitat destruction. We were told Noah's Land Wildlife Park was dedicated to saving endangered species from around the world

Cheri Watson , the owner/ director, seemed to be a natural around the animals; her interaction with them was an entertainment --humorous and heartwarming. She was licensed 13 years ago in wildlife rehabilitation. She told me "Wild animals respond differently than pets, and you need a certain disposition for handling them, especially when they are sick or hurt." She told me because of her knack with them, vets have often asked her for her assistance when confronted with suffering, wild animals. I had a chance to see her do her thing.

Cheri and her staff were friendly and helpful. They spent as much time as they could with us--answering questions, and showing us around the walking-tour area. Linda Leone was also very entertaining, as she played with Cleatus, a one-year-old Siberian Tiger. Cheri and Linda, at different times, ran up and down the cage of this adolescent tiger getting him to really put on a show. He is at about 300 + pounds, and he is not even the equivalent of a teenager yet. Grown, he'll be 600 pounds or more. It was awesome to think that the babies that we held in our arms will grow to be the giants that these grown cats are.

On our visit to the petting zoo, we were told a story concerning the history of one of the young deer living there. This Pere David Deer is now listed as extinct. At one time an emperor of China decided that this type of deer was too regal for the commoners, so he had them all destroyed except for his private herd. Several hundred years after the emperor's herd died off, another herd of seven was discovered in the safe keeping of a few Tibetan Monks high in the mountains. This "extinct?" deer that we saw is a descendant of this protected herd.

I have a feeling that everyone experiences the park differently. I hadn't been there in years, and then, I visited twice in one month. Years ago my contact with the people and the animals was minimal; I paid my money, got in my car, and drove through. I didn't even visit the petting zoo; I guess, I thought that I was too old. My experience was also minimal. These recent two times, my interest was higher; I asked more questions; I looked around more; I interacted more with the people and the animals. I found these visits rich and enlightening, although both were not uplifting.

My first visit in January was very nice with a giggly, hilarious conclusion. As Dana and I came to the end of our drive through, we couldn't help laughing as we kept looking into the rearview mirrors. There was a conglomeration of animals galloping after our little truck and an emu who was keeping up pretty good, goose-necking along beside the windows. He would fall behind somewhat, and then all of the sudden "Surprise!" he would be looking in at us, his head bobbing sideways with his stride. He seemed to be saying "Hey, where do you think you are going, I haven't got my yummys yet!" It was like a cartoon. We still laugh every time that we think of it.

After this trip with Dana and she had gone home, she showed her pictures to her mom, and my lifelong friend, Melanie. The very next week they both came back, from East Texas, to go see the baby tigers again. The second visit, my friends, both respiratory therapists, were partners with Cheri, as they all tried desperately to save a fawn taken by C-section from a mother deer that had just died. They were unsuccessful, and it was quite a let down, but it was an experience never to be forgotten. I just watched and did small favors as I was asked. We tried.

You never know what kind of adventure you might have or when you go where the wild things are. There may be a lot going on to watch, or you may just happen to get to join in one of life's dramas.

Happy Hunting

VCW

The first time that I visited this drive through park, I was a bit startled at how near some of the animals would come to my vehicle. The goats would jump right up onto my truck when I stopped. Good that I was in a beat-up old truck at the time. I drove slow and the animals got out of the way; but when I drove too slow, their precious little hooves would stay in the way or climb right up on my hood. Louie the Lips, the camel, must have been ready for some yummy treats, because when he saw my truck he approached rapidly with his awkward gait. I rolled up my window just in time. I got an "up close and personal" view of his, also awkward, chewing habits before he kissed my window, or so it seemed; camel slobber smeared across my rolled up glass. There are compounds for the lions and tigers and bears (Oh no!), but many of the heard animals wandered free and easy. A curious zebra stuck his head in my truck window looking for his free taste of yummy treats that visitors always feed them.