Most people can’t deny that baby tigers are extremely adorable. In fact, the animals’ cuteness makes people want to take pictures with them. If you plan to take a photo with a baby tiger soon, you may want to rethink your decision. Here’s why you should avoid baby tiger photo ops.
Federal Guidelines Regarding Cub Petting
According to federal guidelines, animal exhibitors can use tiger cubs for photo ops if they are between eight and twelve weeks old. With this federal guideline in mind, animal exhibitors quickly breed tiger cubs so that they will always have an inventory of these animals available for profitability.
The Truth About Baby Tiger Photo Ops
Many animal exhibitors think of themselves as rescuers, but the truth of the matter is that they exploit baby tigers. The “rescuers” who breed these animals to be used as photo ops are not creating comfortable living conditions for the baby tigers.
Many baby tigers are separated from their mother prematurely, which results in emotional pain for both parties. During optimal circumstances, the baby tiger would be roaming around, strengthening their coordination, and getting a lot of sleep. These animals would also be right by their mother’s side for at least two years to learn excellent survival skills. These skills are hard for humans to teach.
Many experts believe that baby tigers suffer tremendously when they are separated from their mothers. A baby tiger’s immune system is not fully developed until the animal is about 12 months old. When these animals are separated from their mothers at birth, they could be prone to diseases and illnesses when they get older.
For many baby tigers, the photo op itself is not a fun experience. The animals are often frightened and stressed because they don’t fully understand what is going on. They can’t get on a regular sleep schedule because of being constantly awakened by a person petting them. In addition, these innocent animals spend too much time in the back of trucks, which is not a good environment for a curious cub.
Why Are Baby Tigers Still Used for Photo Ops?
If you ask animal exhibitors why they breed baby tigers for photo ops, they will likely tell you that it’s the only way to make a profit in this business. The reality is that a true animal lover would never be able to justify abusing baby tigers for a profit.
What You Can Do
If you would like to protect these cute animals from further abuse, please do not take photos with baby tigers. Even if you run across a cub petting exhibit at a tourist attraction, resist the urge to engage in this popular yet extremely harmful activity.
Instead of taking a picture with a tiger cub, consider volunteering or giving a donation to an organization that protects these animals. It’s also a good idea to raise awareness by talking with family and friends about this abuse.
