Sai Mai, a Royal Bengali tigress born in captivity at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo 50 miles east of Bangkok, was breast-fed by a female pig for four months after her birth. Check out the zoo site for a thumbnail of a sow nursing a trio of tiger cubs. Did you know that grunting triggers release of the milk? So we were told by the supervisor of a provincial farm in Nova Scotia once upon a time, who informed us, when we asked, that "The pigs are in the piggery." We're wondering whether purring plays a similar role with cats? Our imail correspondent reports that for her as a new mother the triggering mechanism was a glass of wine. Thanks to blogfriend Amba of AmbivaBlog for finding the peaceable-kingdom story.
The Sriracha Tiger Zoo in Thailand "is trying to boost visitor numbers by teaching domestic animals such as pigs, and wild animals such as tigers, to live together in harmony from an early age," according to the Animal Liberation Front (ALF!). Kumbaya, anyone? It does make for fab photo ops (above) but doesn't prepare the piggies for real life. Let's hope they never have to fend for themselves beyond the protective bubble of their zoo enclosure. 'Reminds us of those overprotected persons of the left we wrote about yesterday who've spent so much time in their echo chambers of self-appointed elites inside the Beltway, in the Ivory Tower and in the MSM that they're unable to mount a serious challenge to the conservative opposition.
Having been breast-fed by her birth mother, Sweet Pea, through the golden days of an idyllic kittenhood -- her father Sluggo used to hang around with Mom, Uncle Bertie and the youngsters, Tiny and Baby, during lazy summer days on the terrace -- Tiny wouldn't dream of socializing with a mouse or vole or small bird or any species that are her natural prey.
Then, too, even miniature tigers like Tiny and Baby have been known to make mistakes, as we were just telling Ann Althouse today in the comments to her post "Cat bite," where she writes "I recommend not trusting cats, even if you know them, even if they sprawl at your feet in the pet-me-please-pet-me posture." Speaking from experience, we suggested she "trust but verify." We would offer the same advice to those cute little pigs in the Sriracha Zoo.
Update: Like the folks at the Sriracha Zoo, Steve at Modulator is trying to boost visitor numbers by teaching animals of every stripe to live together in harmony at the 92nd Friday Ark.
There seems to be a protocol to the "rub my tummy" invitation. I've seen it many times when getting acquainted with a new kitty. The invitation is given. When the strange hand descends it is clutched lightly in the paws with just a little bit of claw. Sometimes a knuckle or finger is lightly bitten. While this goes on eye contact is made which seems to be saying, "If I'm going to trust you to rub my vulnerable tummy, you've got to trust me not to hurt you." If you hold the hand absolutely still, it is almost invariably released and tummy rubs ensue.
I have experienced this so many times that I have the protocol down and am thus able to rub some furry tummy's of note. Kitty's are heavily into reciprocal agreements.
Posted by: Everret Parker | June 22, 2006 at 10:43 PM
Oh, Sissy, you got the best picture! And the best title.
I've often contemplated what happened to Roy, of Siegfried and Roy (whatever it was that happened: the tiger Mantecore's motivation was not clear) and thanked my lucky stars that my cats are not the size of a tiger. They might do me in in a moment of irritability, one that a fellow tiger's hide could withstand but a human's thin skin could not. (Was Mantecore trying to drag Roy away by a nonexistent "scruff"?) As it is, my size acts as an "equalizer" to their undeniable superiority. The other advantage I have in dealing with them is fearlessness. I've been bitten, I've been scratched, I have a high pain threshold, so big deal, bring it on. This means that when a cat has a fit of pique or panic, I can dial it down and get very, very calm, and they usually take a cue from that. If not, I just bite them back. It's very satisfying to de- I mean ascend to their level, even if the price is a mouthful of fur.
Posted by: amba | June 23, 2006 at 01:05 AM
Oh, and purring. What a marvelous invention -- the finishing touch of cats' perfection. (My old neighbor, a magnificent artist from Georgia and more than half cat herself, once told me they have only one single flaw: their lives are too short.) I'm sure it stimulates the milk letdown reflex, since it also releases endorphins and oxytocin in humans.
Posted by: amba | June 23, 2006 at 01:08 AM
The members of the porcine family are braver than I. A fabulous post.
Posted by: goomp | June 23, 2006 at 08:11 AM
Love the pictures. *grin*
It's so easy in the lovely enclosed bubble, to have all creatures "just get along". None of them have to fight for It's a lovely fantasy though. food or survival. Too bad there are so many people who can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality.
Posted by: Teresa | June 23, 2006 at 11:35 AM
Wow - I did something weird to my comment above - I think it's readable... but wow. LOL.
Posted by: Teresa | June 23, 2006 at 11:36 AM
If I have my choice, I'd druther be the tiger, thank you very much.
Posted by: NahnCee | June 23, 2006 at 03:23 PM
some photo.
Like Peaceable Kingdom. Images are powerful, aren't they?
Posted by: Bird Dog | June 24, 2006 at 01:08 PM