Imagine being able to enter the cage of a real tiger. Nervously approaching it, its eyes staring at you with curiosity, you slowly walk behind it; the prey has become the predator. Quickly, you pounce, hands outstretched until you can feel its body rise and fall with each breath. Stroking the animal’s fur, the soft hairs running through your fingers, you forget your fear.
While it may sound like a fairy tale, scenes like this happen every day at Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Back in April, 2012, my wife and I went to visit Tiger Kingdom. We were very curious, but a little apprehensive. After all, not only would we be going into a cage with a group of large tigers, but we had also heard some disturbing tales.
Fortunately for us humans, none of those tales involved injuries or missing limbs. Instead, they concerned allegations of drugging and mistreatment of the very animals we had come to see. And, while I’m not a member of P.E.T.A., I certainly don’t want to see animals abused for my entertainment.
When our tuk-tuk arrived at Tiger Kingdom, we were greeted by the staff and asked which tigers we wanted to see. Having come this whole way, we opted for a package that included three different age groups: Smallest (3 month old cubs), Small (6 months old), and Large (18-24 month old tigers).
A three-month old tiger tries to reach a bag of treats on the table at Tiger Kingdom.
After paying our money, we were escorted to the cage with the three-month old tiger cubs. Before entering, we had to remove our shoes and wash our hands. After doing so, we were free to enter with one of the volunteer handlers.
This was the first good sign for me about Tiger Kingdom. At two of the three cages we entered we were accompanied by a foreign volunteer. It seems to me, that if someone loves tigers enough to travel halfway around the world to volunteer at Tiger Kingdom, they aren’t going to put up with a little tranquilizer in the tiger’s food.
Once inside the cage, our guide helped us approach the tigers and taught us the rules: no touching the head or front paws. After a few minutes, we became more comfortable with the tigers, and our guide even allowed them to climb on us. As the half dozen tigers, played about the cage, it was very obvious that their moods had not been altered.
After our foray with the smallest tigers, we moved onto the six-month old small tigers. When we approached this cage, my first thought was that the tigers certainly grew between three and six months because, while obviously not fully grown, these animals were much larger than the tigers we had just seen.
Entering this cage, the rules were more even more strictly enforced then they had been in the previous cage, and the tigers were not allowed to play near the visitors. Even so, you could still see them playing in the corners of the cage, and they would actively walk around the area.
A six-month old tiger relaxes in the corner of his enclosure.
Lastly, we came to the large tigers. At nearly two-years old, these tigers had been around humans their whole lives, and they were used to being petted by strangers. They were, however, more calm than the others had been. At first, I thought that maybe this was due to drugs, but then I thought about the tigers I see when I visit zoos at home; what are they doing? Resting…all the time. That’s what tigers do in the middle of the day. So, should it really be any surprise to me that it was what I saw at Tiger Kingdom?
Even so, being in with such a large animal was a little bit nerve racking. Quite honestly, I was glad for the insurance they included in the price of my admission because I would imagine “willing walking into a tiger’s cage” is not an included provision in my travel insurance.
That being said, we made it safely through our day, leaving the tigers after about an hour in the cages and with great pictures and memories.
While I can’t say about other places that allow you to experience tigers, I can say pretty assuradely that Tiger Kingdom is a legit experience. If you have doubts, go and see for yourself.
Have you been to Tiger Kingdom? If so, what are your thoughts on this issue?
You two look very calm with that tiger though I notice he seems to be licking his chops.
Great post, I loved the Tiger Kingdom. I did the same package as well, and after visiting, I was convinced they weren’t on drugs. At one point all the visitors had to leave the large tiger cage because one had become aggressive. This particular tiger had gotten a hold of a plastic jug and would not let go of it, and would growl at anyone who came near. At one point he let out a full- blown roar. Insane! That tiger was definitely not sedated!
Wow! Nothing crazy liked that happened while I was there. I’m glad you enjoyed your time and came to the same conclusion. Thanks for the comment.
We also went to Tiger Kingdom while in Thailand. On our first trip to the country we made the mistake of heading to Tiger Temple. It’s portrayed as a sanctuary for tigers that is run by monks, but it was clear at first sight that the tigers were drugged. We left immediately.
Tiger Kingdom was the exact opposite. The tigers were extremely alert and lively. They seemed to be well-taken care of and we appreciated the fact that the facility broke down where the money was going.
Yeah, I’ve heard a few negative things about Tiger Temple, but haven’t been there myself. Thanks for the comment.
Oh my goodness! I want to go!
Personally I hope the tigers are on drugs. Great big bucket loads of calming drugs. Unless the great beastie is humming a happy tune and on its second packet of jaffa cakes I’m not getting in the cage with them.
Funny! I mostly agree…! There is always the possibility that some people will not follow the rules and do things to disturb the tigers…that said, it is fascinating, but yes, frightening. They are extraordinarily powerful, and move like lightning.
[...] of several places in Thailand where one can pet a tiger. Here’s their website and another article for more information than I can give you. The long and short of it is that they have tigers, from [...]
[...] many of the other so called ‘tiger sanctuaries’ in Thailand they actually drug the animals to make them really lethargic and they are often mistreated during their time there. Tiger Kingdom, on the other hand, prides [...]
A small budget can take you much farther in Cambodia than anywhere in Europe.
Indeed, this reconciliation spirit had been an attitude adopted
by Cambodians in order to be able to move on,
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to Cambodia should be sure to consider the
proper vaccinations, antimalarial treatment, and other health precautions beforehand, to ensure their trip is a
safe and enjoyable one.