The Mizzou Tigers for Tigers Student Group took a very interesting trip to the St. Louis Zoo. This is an article written by one of the students who joined us that wonderful day.
As a student member of the MT4T group, I was very excited about the St. Louis Zoo excursion. For months I have been involved in this organization, yet I had never seen a tiger. Needless to say I was very excited about the prospect of seeing this magnificent animal.
Our group of nine was introduced to Dr. Eric Miller, the St. Louis Zoo's veterinarian. We learned what role the Zoo played in the conservation effort towards tigers and other endangered species. It was very interesting to learn that breeding was regulated nation wide in order to preserve the five remaining tiger subspecies.
Afterwards we were invited to their Cat Complex. Mary Anne Weiss met us at the gate and after offering us a few words of caution, allowed us behind the scenes and into their cat complex. The first cats we saw were two lions. It was an awe inspiring feeling to be standing within feet of a lion with only one fence between us. Despite our ooo's and aaa's the lions couldn't be bothered to raise their head from their sprawled position.
Next we turned to the object of our trip, the tiger. At the calls of Mary Anne, we saw a large orange head rise up from grass of her enclosure. Kendra, the tiger, rose slowly and warily at the sight of us gawking from the other side of her cage. May Anne informed us that Kendra was small for a Siberian Tiger, however at that proximity she looked very large to me. Her white belly and neck distinguished her as a Siberian Tiger.
As a way of greeting, Kendra lowered head and chuffled. I can only describe the sound as somewhere between a purr and a cough; it was deep and beautiful. It was wonderful to be communicating with a tiger. At our encouraging words she walked towards the fence and then began rubbing herself back and forth, all the while chuffling. It was very tempting to stick my hand through the holes in the gate in pet her. She simply seemed like an overgrown house cat wanting affection. However she is still a wild carnivorous animal that demands respect.
I learned many interesting tiger facts, one being that cats communicate with their tails. The excursion was very enlightening and was a once in a lifetime experience.