Isabella Tiger



Date of Birth
7/3/1992

My Photo Album

History
Isabella was born at the CPT, and her parents, Pollo and Barbarella, were mother and son - both rescues from the same private owner. Unfortunately, due to some very irresponsible husbandry before they came to the CPT, Barbarella came to us pregnant with Isabella, and the father of Isabella, is also her half brother, Pollo.

Most likely as a direct result of this unfortunate, but all too common, inbreeding among tigers, Isabella has a brain disorder known as epilepsy. She has had seizures, but they are well-controlled with medication (that we dispense to Isabella in delicious meat treats!) and this condition does not even begin to fully describe Isabella. She is a beautiful, perfectly proportioned female tiger who lives on a tract of land at the CPT called Tiger Island. She is one of our most social tigers and almost always welcomes visitors at the fence of her habitat with a chorus of elated chuffles. Also called a prustin, a chuffle is a distinctly happy tiger sound that is analogous to a greeting.

Because of her outgoing, almost sweet personality it is easy for some to mistake Isabella for tame. SHE IS NOT – not by a long shot. There is no such thing as a tame tiger, and Isabella (or any other tiger), despite her pleasing disposition, is still very much a large, and very dangerous wild animal. If you love tigers as much as we do at the CPT, then this love must come with a healthy dose of respect for the size, power and nature of these wonderful animals. We all have an incredibly rewarding relationship with Isabella because there is a strong, concrete-reinforced fence between us and her.

Contributed by Julie Brittain.
photo/s courtesy of Kiran Venkatesh, ©CPT'