Issaquah Undressed

A Most Important Event in Issaquah - Bengal Tiger Cubs at the Cougar Mountain Zoo!

An event like this doesn’t happen very often in Issaquah or anywhere. Bengal Tigers are very rare and are Endangered. These little guys have an important role to play, they are ambassadors to call attention to people everywhere that we need to protect them or we won’t have them around. This would be tragic. This is ‘Almos, he was born on May 3, 2007 and is a Royal White Bengal Tiger. He is shown with Robyn Barfoot, the zoo’s general curator. Royal White Bengal Tigers in the wild have been sighted only rarely and it is unknown how many there are left. The last capture in the wild was in 1951. There are only 400 in Worldwide Captive Population. In some cultures they are hunted and killed, for medicinal purposes. ‘Almos captures your heart instantly. We were very fortunate to have an experience of a lifetime, getting to be upclose and personal with ‘Almos. Both Larry and Kathleen, that’s us, got to pet a tiger! Larry even got to give him a drink! (see below) ‘Almos means “one of a dream”.

Just as adorable is Taj, a Golden Bengal Tiger. We didn’t get quite as close to Taj and after we observed him at the play area (open to the public at 1:00pm and at 4:00pm Wednesday - Sunday) we thought that was probably good, since he is already stalking and pouncing! He was born on April 11, 2007 and is quite a bit bigger and much more active. His teeth and claws already look pretty big! We met Taj only in his nursery area and in the play area. Golden Bengal Tigers are even more rare than the Royal Whites. The last capture in the wild was in 1932. Only 100 of these exist in captivity and sightings in the wild exist but are rare. The most common color of Bengal tigers both in the wild and in captivity is the Orange Bengal Tiger and there are more of these but they are all endangered! The cubs ‘Almos and Taj are the only Bengal Tigers in the state of Washington. Taj means “crown or jewel”.

Taj, my what big teeth you have!

Taj and ‘Almos in the play area. This where you can come and see ‘Almos and Taj. Don’t miss this opportunity. The kids love it.

Baby People Watching Baby Tigers!

Oooooooooooooooh, that feels so good!

‘Almos on top of the mountain

Taj wants to explore

‘Almos and Taj will grow very fast. We decided the best way to watch them was to get a Zoo membership as then we can pop in any time as we want to keep up on their progress. It saves money, is very reasonable and all the funds go to support the Zoo and the animals. We recommend it to you and your family. There are many other benefits as well. The Cougar Mountain Zoo is not supported by the city or state or taxes and all monies collected for admission and memberships and adopting an animal, and any donations go to the animals and their habitats. As the tigers grow they will need additional improvements to their habitat, which is about an acre in size. Funds will be needed.

If you haven’t been to this zoo ever or maybe you visited it in the 70’s and thought it was still a small farm petting zoo, you will be pleasantly surprised. It is a different kind of zoo. It is committed “to increasing the understanding and appreciation of the earth’s wildlife and the role of humanity in nature through education, research, captive breeding, conservation, exhibition and recreation.” For their complete mission statement and other information click http://cougarmountainzoo.org.

They are very interested in providing the public information about endangered species and are committed to saving these animals for all of us. Even though in a perfect world we may not like to see animals in captivity, in our world, if we don’t see them and know them and love them, we seem to forget to care. And then they are gone.

This is a perfect zoo to take younger children, it is delightfully well done, clean, enjoyable and it isn’t so big it takes all day. All the animals have names, even all the Crown Cranes that all look alike to me, but Sasha, their keeper can tell them all apart. It is a labor of love for those who work there and you can tell. You can have birthday parties there and even a special encounter with one of the animals.

We have a few half price coupons for admission to the zoo. If you have never been to the Cougar Mountain Zoo, we will send you one as long as the supply lasts. email kathleenlea_crag@hotmail.com with your name and address. First come, first served! Please note: The cubs are only in their play area for viewing at 1:00pm and at 4:00pm Wednesday - Sunday. Offer not open to our friends and family. Sorry guys, it wouldn’t be fair.

Posted by Kathleen