North Carolina Tiger Rescue

Today we went on a field trip to the "North Carolina Tiger Rescue".  The name is a bit of a misnomer as they had a great variety of large cats not just tigers; such as cougars, ocelots, and lions to name a few (but no bears).

If it had just been a place to walk around and see big cats in confinement (they aren't really in cages but large paddocks), there wouldn't be much to write about it or recommend it.  What made the field trip so interesting was our guide.  He was passionate about these cats and had a story to tell about each one, such as how they ended up there (plethora of interesting stories there) or unique behaviors like how some cats lure the vultures into their paddocks to kill them for entertainment.

I was very thankful we went on a cool day, in the heat of summer it would not have been very comfortable.  The animals have shade but there isn't much shade on the trails between.  The Rescue is really a neat operation, one in which as long as its legal to own these beautiful animals as pets, there will always be a need.  Everyone had a really great time.  Our guide did an awesome job catering well to all ages including the Amber crowd.  Chris and I look forward to going back someday for an adult evening tour, to see the cats in their most active state.