Big Cat Rescue

Yesterday I visited Big Cat Rescue in Tampa. The 50-acre educational sanctuary is home to over 100 cats, including lions, tigers, leopards, cougars and bobcats. BCR takes in cats that have been injured by cars, have gotten too old for performing, or have been abandoned by people who mistakenly thought that a big cat would make a good pet.

Not far from busy Citrus Park Mall, BCR is tucked away at the end of a dirt road. It’s hard to believe such a quiet, natural spot still exists in this part of Florida. During the one-and-a-half hour tour, our guide Vanessa gave our group lots of information about the sanctuary’s residents and the difference between “big cats” and “lesser cats” (big cats roar and their babies are called cubs while lesser cats don’t roar but can purr and their babies are called kittens).

Two of BCR’s most popular residents are Cameron and Zabu, a male lion and female white tiger who were rescued from a roadside zoo. Cameron and Zabu grew up together and are very attached, although the differences in their species sometimes cause problems. For example, they have to be fed separately because male lions expect the females to bring them their food and wait till they have eaten. Zabu will have none of that and goes straight for her food. Smart girl. :- ) Unfortunately, Cameron and Zabu were playing “Sleeping Tiger, Hidden Lion” during my tour but there were plenty of other animals to see.

Jumanji

Doing what cats do best

Our tour guide, Vanessa

Silly Sabre

Raindance, rescued from a fur farm

Nikita

TJ, BCR's youngest tiger

Travel tips: BCR offers tours every day except Thursday for $29 a person for adults and children 10 and over. There is also a Kids Tour for children under 10. Wear comfortable walking shoes. There are water stations along the tour or you can bring your own water, but no food or tobacco products are allowed. See http://bigcatrescue.org for more details.