Tiger jumps into pool with zoo keepers

[nick]

On first glance, it appears as if a group of unsuspecting swimmers are about to become a tiger's lunch.

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01590/TIGER_1590203c.jpg

But despsite appearances, the picture actually shows the animal playing with zoo keepers in a pool.

Used to human contact, the tigers play a harmless game of chase with their trainers around the pool edge before diving into the water.

Although they look ferocious, the animals don't protract their claws, so no harm comes to their trainers as they tussle in the water.

The game involving six Bengal and Siberian tigers has become a popular attraction at the Africa Wildlife Park, in Camp Verde, Arizona, in the US.

Kathleen Reeder, 52, a wildlife photographer who captured the images, said: "The show starts with about three to five keepers coming into the pool area with the tigers.

"The tigers walk and run around the pool area, showing love and affection for their keepers by rubbing up against them just like a house cat rubs against their owner.

"The keeper then runs around the pool area getting the tigers' attention.

"It's like playing with your house cat with a toy. You wave the toy in front of the cat to get the cat to chase it.

"The keepers want the tigers to chase them, when they have the tiger's attention they will run, dive or jump into the pool.

"Most of the time the tigers will jump in right after them.

"These tigers love their keepers so they don't protract their claws when chasing or when jumping into the water.

"There will always be two keepers in the water to make sure that things don't get out of hand.

"They know what to do to appropriately handle the tigers in the water, no one gets hurt."


Source here (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/7366826/Tigers-chase-zoo-keepers-into-pool.html)

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[nick]

I totally agree, this is a game that seems destined to go wrong at some point. I just love that photo though, cute ickle pussy.

[Quick_Sylver]

Dangerous, beautiful creatures. Dangerous, fun game. Sense a common variable?

[Spinder]

That's definitely not a very smart thing to be doing. Too many people in the past have done things like this with wild animals they thought they had completely "tamed" or "trained", only to be killed or seriously injured.

Sorry, but tigers are wild animals, and they always will be wild animals. Wild animals are unpredictable, and can never be made into our pets. And methinks it's only a matter of time before this "game" leads to disaster like every one before it.

When will we ever learn?

[Kaius]

Eh, Tbh it depends really. If that tiger didn't want to be there, he wouldn't have been diving in the pool like that. But yes, its really easy for things like that to go wrong, especially when accidents happen when you least expect it. Its a catalyst for disaster. Tigers are wild animals, but in the right hands and a careful eye, they can be tamed quite easily but they still arn't toys, or even pets for that matter. But its a stunning photo :)

[Spinder]

No, actually. Sometimes perfectly "trained" wild animals can appear to be perfectly calm and content one minute, then out of the clear, blue sky, they will suddenly go into attack and kill mode.

Besides, I don't know how anyone can be foolish enough to be so trusting and to feel so "safe" with an animal that is well known to kill and even eat humans.

[Kaius]

Im perfectly aware how easily things can go wrong, i've been around this stuff since i was small. Read what I said a little closer, They Can be tamed, But they can go wrong just as easily.

[BeautifulDisaster]

For now, it seems under control, there are things in place for protection, and the tiger seems very friendly and loving from the sounds of it.

[Evermore]

Gosh you make it seem like tigers are evil. I find this adorable.

[Hatsune Miku]

Tigers aren't at dangerous at you think. Many people have been killed by other things besides tigers. Look at pitbulls, they are far more dangerous then a tiger ( A pitbull could probably bring down a tiger )

[Kaius]

I Agree with you Matt, but i also think that the training of a pitball and how its raised is a contributing factor. Everytime i go to work with my dad, and i've seen cases of that, they've usually been mistreated or 9/10 trained to attack.

[DoveGreySands]

Yeah I saw this in the son, reminds me so much of craig busch (found a pic here; http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/27/article-1188880-03B276EE0000044D-441_468x314.jpg )
What people need to understand is that the keepers do understand how dangerous it is to be in there, they know their lives could be in danger but they go there anyway. Many people can live their lives doing this with no problems, some will no. If something bad happens to them, their find with that, and I admire them for that.

[Jess]

that is very cool

[INFERNO]

The issue of the wild animals, such as trained tigers attacking their trainers to me begs the question of whether their training involved physical abuse, neglect or similar maltreatments. Sometimes they're trained out of love and love only yet something goes askew but to me, that's part of the field, the trainers know that and I'm sure they try their best to ensure nothing bad happens. I'm aware of many tigers, elephants and other show-cased animals attacking trainers but it's also been shown much of the time, the animals were indeed maltreated so I don't want to take the route of saying it's the modern-day distorted idea of karma but rather it must significantly increase the chances.

The picture is beautiful and I adore big cats however, I don't adore them enough to have them hopping in a pool with me even if everyone including the tigers are trained. I'd rather watch and enjoy than be in the pool and enjoy because when the time comes when and if the animal attacks, at the end of the day I prefer to walk home in one piece rather than be in a box or be in surgery being like Humpty Dumpty being put back together.