Tiger Island Documentary:

I have had many people write and ask, "Where is Tiger Island?" There is a Tiger Island in Australia at a theme park called Dreamworld in Coomera, Gold Coast, Queensland. Phone: (07) 5588 1111, but we have no association with that project. Our facility, to be called Paleocene Park, does not yet exist. Neither have we selected a location. We are making the necessary contacts that will enable this preserve to succeed. We will not attempt to develop this facility until funds are in place.

Working With Tigers and Other Exotics:

I receive quite a bit of mail asking, "How can I get a job working with tigers?", and "What education would I have to have?"

First let me say, based on my experience, that getting a job working with tigers is very difficult indeed. If you can find a job at a private preserve or a zoo it will probably be a low paying caretaker position, meaning cleaning cages, preparing food, etc. I personally would consider that a grand avocation, but not a highly desirable occupation. This can many times be accomplished by volunteering with your local zoo or a private preserve if they have such arrangements.

Finding a job with a research team or other entity in countries where tigers still exist is all but impossible according to individuals with whom I’ve corresponded who sought such positions for years. Some of these people were highly qualified research scientists.

If you have the intention of working more closely with these animals as an occupation I would recommend veterinary medicine with an emphasis on large felids or doctoral level work in genetics. In addition, you can become very valuable to private institutions by studying business with a focus on grant writing or fund raising. That way you will be able to offer your services to an organization and at the same time possibly get to work with some animals.

I would like clarify one thing. Taking care of tigers and the larger felids most often involves cleaning cages and feeding. You don’t go in the cages and play with the nice cats. At most you will get closer than the average person who sees them in a zoo. At some facilities you might be allowed to handle a small cub, and even in some cases get to work with the animal as it grows. Due to liability issues this may be happening less frequently.

I might also suggest that you visit http://www.lioc.org and get on their discussion list. You might find some organizations in need of assistance.

I hope this answers some of your basic questions. I believe the University of Tennessee has a veterinary program that offers instruction on working with exotics. You will need to research individual schools for this information.

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