Zookeepers/ Exotic Pet owners: BIG CATS?

Can you tell me about your experiences and interactions with big cats: tigers/ lions, etc.? How do these animals interact with their human companions? What was your favorite moment interacting with a big cat?


(PS I am not planning to get one; I just want to hear about them).

Zookeepers/ Exotic Pet owners: BIG CATS?
How do they react with thier human companions? They don't they are WILD animals not meant for captivitiy. Anyone who thinks a Tiger, Lion, Alligator, or Cheetah is a good pet is nuts. The thing I find funny is that rich people like Johnny Wiestmullier (Formely the actor of old Tarzan movies) This moron claims to be an animal rights activist and a devote vegetarian but still kept large cats as pets. His Tiger named "Bobo" attacked a worker who was re-painting Bobo's cage. The Tiger was later SHOT after it escaped.





http://www.istormcats.com/ownership/tarz...
Reply:I'm a zoologist, and I spent a month working with African Lions in Africa. The ones I worked with were captive bred, and so the younger ones (with proper discipline!) treated you like you were just part of the pride. Thevery young ones were playful and curious, but the minute they get older, any little tantrum couls be a very painful experience. The claws are extremely sharp and cut very easily. The bigger cubs were more tempermental, and could be docile one minute, and the next decide you might be a good playtoy. One year old cub tackled me and another worker, and had she been much bigger, it would have been a serious problem.


Once the cubs got to about 19 months and nearly full size, or got too 'jumpy' they were no longer allowed around people. For cleaning and routine work, they were placed in holding pens away from keepers and cleaners. Adult lions were darted before any work would be done on them. With age, they become more territorial and self-confident, and will challenge anyone.


These animals do not make pets in any sense, and the only reason they should be in captivity should be for conservation or genetic preservation breeding purposes. A keeper should never be alone with an adult big cat at any point, unless that animal is in a seperate holding pen or is sedated and completely unconscious.
Reply:I am neither a zookeeper or exotic pet owner, but I was lucky enough to experience wild animals when I was about 16 yrs old I volunteered at a Wildlife sanctuary. One summer we had rescued a Siberian Tiger and her cub. The cub was about 3mos old and they let it run freely around the facility well he got to me and on my days scheduled to work he would greet me at the gate. I was in heaven when I was there and to be around that cub was an experience I will never forget. He was like a puppy I would run and he would chase me. but make no mistake when he caught me and tackled me down those claws and teeth were dangerous I was scratched more than once but he was playing, Now the mother was a different story I could pet her but something in her eyes just told you she was a wild animal and she didn't trust you as much as you didn't trust her. It's like they tolerate you and that's it. I always figured it's because they can sense how humans are so destructive. We are never satisfied always want more, better and don't care who we have to destroy to get it!