Although confining wild animals comes with controversy, Great Cats World Park describes itself, “Not only are we educating the public and advocating conservation, but we are actively participating in the preservation of threatened and endangered species. We cooperate with the SSP program, breeding some of the most endangered cats in the world.”
Longtime feline friend Kevin Driskell noted that cats laying on their back communicates a feeling of safety in their environment, which both the lions and tigers demonstrated. Some of the smaller cats paced back and forth some, but not habitually, which could be a sign they needed more activity and/or stimulation or just that they saw the human that feeds them. All the cats looked healthy.
One tiger charged me from about thirty yards out and even with a fence between us, I found that most impressive and not something I will forget anytime soon. A little research indicated captive tigers will charge to assert dominance over their territory and might be trigger by something as simple as a camera pointed at them. I, or course, am guilty as charged.
Also, of course, one of the smaller cats claimed Kevin as hers. She followed him back and forth and even ran to greet him when he left for a moment and returned. Although she was cute and made a good argument, we did not leave him.
All photos shot with iPhone 17Pro and Moment SuperTele lens.
