Tigers (Panthera tigris) Cedar Cove Feline Conservation Park in Louisburg, Kansas opened on August 27, 2000 as a preserve for tigers and a refuge for all kinds of big cats which are abandoned, neglected or whose owners are unable to care for them. When I first visited Cave Cove there were 7 tigers, all of whom had been raised from cubs by the park's founder, William Pottorff. During the most recent visit, there were 10 tigers, two new ones born at Cave Cove and another which was rejected by a program breeding tigers for white fur. The Siberian tigers each eat up to 40 pounds of meat, every other day. The refuge relies on contributions of expired meat from some of the area supermarkets and are always looking for more. They even collect road kill if called in time. The Tigers have a lot more room than is shown in these photos. They have a football field sized enclosure for running individually. Tigers are not communal animals in the wild. Cedar Cove is licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture and accredited by the American Association of Zoo Keepers. Starting in April, 2009, Cedar Cove Feline Conservation Park will be open to the public until 7PM on the first Saturday of the month to permit visitors to view the large cats when they are more active. Call before visiting in very hot or inclement weather.
copyright 2005-2009 by Keith Stokes |
