When someone imagines, or more likely has a nightmare, about being attacked by a tiger, one may picture the fierce claws or dagger-like fangs. And, yes, those are large and intimidating in real life. But until I saw and pet a sleeping tiger, I never imagined that the weight alone- 325 pounds- would be a force to reckon with should the tiger awake.
A tiger underwent a spay surgery for general health purposes at the Franklin Ranch Pet Hospital and Hotel in Elk Grove on Sunday, Sept. 13 in the early morning hours. The tiger arrived in a crate, awake and seemingly calm, from the animal rescue organization PAWS. This tiger was accustomed to being around people. The tiger, named Claire, was rescued at four months old from an illegal tiger breeding farm in New Hampshire.
I spoke to PAWS via phone who said tiger parts can fetch a high price on the black market. Some people want to own tigers, or keep their parts for souvenirs. Others, particularly in Asia, believe that tigers help with virility.
Breeding tigers in captivity is a big problem in the United States, they said.
A tiger underwent a spay surgery for general health purposes at the Franklin Ranch Pet Hospital and Hotel in Elk Grove on Sunday, Sept. 13 in the early morning hours. The tiger arrived in a crate, awake and seemingly calm, from the animal rescue organization PAWS. This tiger was accustomed to being around people. The tiger, named Claire, was rescued at four months old from an illegal tiger breeding farm in New Hampshire.
I spoke to PAWS via phone who said tiger parts can fetch a high price on the black market. Some people want to own tigers, or keep their parts for souvenirs. Others, particularly in Asia, believe that tigers help with virility.
Breeding tigers in captivity is a big problem in the United States, they said.
“There are more tigers in the United States in captivity than there are in the wild,” a spokesperson said.
To read the entire story and see photos, visit the Elk Grove Citizen Online.
To read the entire story and see photos, visit the Elk Grove Citizen Online.
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