Putty-Cat~

On By cindy knokeIn Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life


I think I saw a putty-cat! I went to The San Diego Safari Park to practice with my new camera, but I got kinda distracted by these little guys. I think this one wanted to come home with me……or else he wanted to eat something right past my ear.

Meet the tiger cubs. One cub was brought to the park from The National Zoo after it was rejected by its mother and the other was confiscated at the San Diego/Mexican border by patrol agents when it was seven weeks old. One is a Bengal Tiger and the other a Sumatran. There are less than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild.

This wasn’t a fair test of my new RX10 camera because I had to shoot through-multi inch tempered scratched glass, but who cares, these guys were too amazing to pass up and I knew you would like to see them! I can show you some fair test shots later. Now, it’s tiger time.

The cubs are living in a 5.2 acre outdoor tiger habitat with a river running through it, a waterfall, grass, trees, multiple levels and hiding places, and real dirt to roll in. It cost $19.5 million dollars to build. The cubs are growing up together and thriving. Check out this video of the day they were introduced to each other which was filmed with no glass obstructions:

There are other tigers in the habitat too, like this guy, who likes his bone. Doggies get grumpy when you take their bone. I wouldn’t want to try taking this guy’s bone away! He seemed to think I might want to!

There are only 3,890 tigers left in the wild. In 1900 there were an estimated 100,000.

This past year is the first time there has been an actual modest increase in the wild tiger population since 1900, which proves that conservation efforts can work if they are supported.

It would be a worldwide disgrace if the only tigers left in the world lived in zoos.

Cheers to you from the earth’s last remaining magnificent tigers~

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306 thoughts on “Putty-Cat~”

  8. A tigerific post, my friend. (♡◖ฺ◡ฺ◗ฺ)♡I wish I can take the ‘putty-cub’ home. Over here, the Malayan tiger is critically endangered. It was reported there’s only about 250 tigers left. (/❛o❛\)

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  9. You’ve been having fun with your new camera! Your photos are exquisite and a lovely tribute to tigers. I had no idea there are less than 4,000 tigers in the wild, but it makes sense then to push conservation efforts like the facility that houses the cubs. 5.2 acres of safe haven for tigers are invaluable. Thank you for sharing your amazing photos and words. 🌹🐅

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    1. Thank you much more for such a thoughtful comment and for appreciating the tigers, and their endangered status. There are only 300 Bengal tigers left in the wild. Soon I fear, there may be none. 🐯

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  11. They are beautiful and fascinating creatures. Thanks for the beautiful photos and helpful backstory. I’m glad there is a modest increase in their population. Yes, it would be a huge shame if we didn’t preserve them and so many of the big animals of Africa too. I hope we are learning about co-habiting with all the other beings on the planet.

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    1. I hope we are learning too. I know many people definitely care about conservation, but unfortunately the people doing the damage do not, which leaves many wild animals extremely vulnerable. 🐯

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  14. Oh I am a complete puddle. I love cats of all kinds, but especially tigers, my power animals. I travel with two spirit tigers (big love). Who cares about the glass – wonderful photos.
    Alison

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    1. They are just magnificent creatures. If you feel connected to tigers, you might want to read,
      “The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival,” by John Vaillant. It’s quite a read. I read it several years ago and If I remember correctly, it was translated from Russian. I think it is a mixture of fact and fantasy. Google it if you want to sort out the truth from the non. I just found it a fascinating read.

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  15. Such cuties! Thanks for including the video, Cindy. So adorable. I agree that it would be a worldwide disgrace if the only tigers left in the world lived in zoos. I’m not a proponent of removing animals from their natural habitats merely for show or ‘education.’ The only lesson children learn from zoos is that it’s okay to exploit other species. We have no right. We’re supposed to be the stewards of Mother Earth, not exploiters or destroyers. Placing an animal in captivity to preserve the species is arguable, from the animal’s point of view. Would I give up my freedom to preserve my species? I doubt it. Temporary captivity is acceptable, if an animal is hurt or endangered, and if the intent is to release the animal back to the wild. Has Planet of the Apes taught us nothing? I wonder . . . Your photos are gorgeous as always, my friend ❤

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    1. Yes, it is a terrible compromise when a wild creatures only safe option for species survival are wild animal conservation parks. They are far better than zoos in that animals live in open, natural spaces, roaming outside with trees and water. The Safari Park sponsors CRES (Center for Research on Endangered Species) which is on the cutting edge of using DNA to save endangered species. The are working on saving the endangered northern white rhino of whom only four live in the world, as just one example. They have done so much more than this. They have, for example returned extinct California Condors to California. My son was lucky enough to spend time volunteering for this amazing program.

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      1. This is good to know, Cindy. These and several other conservation measures are commendable. I would hope that the end goal is to release animals back to the wild, as many travel great distances on a seasonal, if not daily, basis. The irony is that we humans endangered these species in the first place. I’m grateful that the exploiters are far fewer in number than the stewards ❤

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  28. Oh Cindy, I’m so glad you “Saw a putty cat” and shared! This made me smile like a cat with cream. I can’t believe you were taking these beautiful photos through scratched glass. Thanks for taking time to include the video too — it was adorable. Hugs!

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  29. I’m liking from my other blog, now! 😀 So, after my other comment about man will wipe out all the Putty Cats, because man is the worst, I just signed an AVAAZ petition against Trump changing some law so his sons can bring home elephant remains from Big Game hunting.
    I’m assuming this is true, or there would be no petition.

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    1. Oh yes, he dismantled the trophy hunting ban against threatened species so Donny Jr and his ilk can go “Tiger hunting with his elephant gun. In case of accidents he always brung his mum.”

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  31. Absolutely loved seeing the tigers here today, Cindy. Interesting facts, and a marvelous tribute to a most remarkable and beautiful creature. Young cats have the pink nose, and it darkens to black as the cat ages. Simply wonderful post, thank you.

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  34. The look on the face of the tiger with the bone!!! Almost human. And I think my favorite part was their tender fuzzy ears (on such a ferocious beast!)– Beautiful beautiful! And hope you have the best Thanksgiving ahead, a wonderful time with people you love — are you the cook?? I’m thankful for you and all the beauty you send out over and over. You are amazing Cindy. hugs hugs!

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        1. I never get the best. I have always used inexpensive cameras. This is the first time I got a pricey one. The speed is pretty amazing but I do use it judiciously for the just the reason you mention.

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    1. The recent increase in wild pop numbers is very encouraging so I do hope so, but I also see people in power with a complete disregard for endangered creatures and habitats so I don’t know…..

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    1. Thank you so much for highlighting these amazing creatures Charles. I have significant concern about how well we humans are managing our stewardship of this planet. There are less than 400 Sumatrans left in the wild. Closer to 300 actually.

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