This photo above is of one of the two largest tigers we met at Tiger Kingdom. The handler took this shot because the guests are not to get this close to the face. In fact just after this shot, a playful swipe sent the camera flying but to no ill effect. Point taken though. This fellow is 20 months old and about 4 foot long. Its paws are as big as our hands. We were allowed to lie against its rump, play with its tail and rub its belly, which they seem to like a lot.   Amazing opportunity. There were four large cats in this enclosure. The handlers were playing with them just like little pussy cats… which of course they’re not. A young girl was hastily chastised by staff for sticking her hands through the fence from outside despite clear signage to the contrary.

At Tiger Kingdom you can get in touch with tigers of all sizes. You can literally buy tickets for personal encounters with the smallest, small, medium and largest tigers… take your pick. The smallest were about the size of pet cats. We lay down with them and had a good pat and cuddle. I don’t know where else you’d get to actually touch a tiger… and all this for $30 each!

I was pleased to see the conditions for the animals were clean and spacious and that the handlers did not mistreat the tigers.