Bengal Tiger Cubs visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Tiger Encounters

Nov. 26, 2008 - Gulf Shores, AL -- Three-week old Apata and Yeti paid a visit to the South Baldwin Regional Imaging Center today courtesy of the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (The Little Zoo That Could). They are rare Snowy White Bengal Tigers bred at the Marcan Tiger Preserve which is dedicated to the preservation and protection of the critically endangered Bengal tiger. The tiny cubs, with their ferocious little growls, ungainly pink padded paws, and barely opened eyes drew hugs and pets and “aw”s from everyone. There are currently only 25 Snowy White Tigers in the world and two are right here at our local zoo – for a little while. The names Apata and Yeti are Hindu names in recognition of the Bengal tiger’s origins in India.	Yeti & Apata
Patti Hall, zoo director, and Cyndi Johnson, head zookeeper, are providing round-the-clock care of Apata (female) and Yeti (male) including bottle feeding every four hours. Patti and Cyndi will continue to nurture the cubs until they are old enough to be moved to another zoo or a breeding facility. Once they have reached the age of five weeks, the second Sunday in December, you will be able to visit them and enjoy a one-on-one encounter at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
Check back with us in December for more photos of Apata & Yeti as they grow. According to Patti, you will be amazed at how much they change. Click here for more information on the schedule & reservations for your Tiger Encounter. Click here to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo website. Click here to learn more about the Marcan Tiger Preserve.
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has nurtured other Bengal cubs and returned them to the Marcan Tiger Preserve. Below is a video of Samson on his first day back home from the excellent care of the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.