That headline was so bad I made myself a little sick. Anyway, as reported by WCBS in New York, Simba the tiger cub was thought to have a tumor or brain infection and was scheduled for routine euthanization. Ok so there is nothing routine about euthanizing a rare Siberian tiger cub, but apparently young Simba had lost her sense of balance and the Ohio zoo was unable to provide further care. On a side note, it seems a little sketchy that the actual zoo Simba came from is not specified.
Just when things were looking pretty grim for Simba, enter animal enthusiast/exotic animal wrangler/rich guy, Larry Wallach. A "former SPCA officer and successful businessman," Wallach was called in to help handle the famous incident a couple years back when a 500lb. Bengal tiger was found kept as a pet in an NYC apartment building. Does the mayor have like a tiger-shaped Bat Phone for this guy or something?
Wallach in all of his glory.
More info and cool video of Simba being adorable below the fold...
Wallach used his generous means to pick up Simba and take her to the New York Veterinarian Specialty Center in Farmingdale, NY, where she underwent a CAT scan. Surprise, surprise, little Simba only had an ear infection which could easily be treated with antibiotics. Talk about a misdiagnosis. I'm glad my parents weren't the directors of this zoo as I could have been euthanized seven times over the course of my childhood for misdiagnosed ear infections. Maybe this "Ohio zoo" should invest in a competent vet?
Thanks to NK for sharing.
Medicine & Health
Brain & Behavior
Comments
The 400-500lb Bengali tiger apparently shared his appartment in a Harlem housing project highrise with a large aligator.
The police was called in after the pet owner was
found bitten...He claimed it was a bulldog.
Here is the story: http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Northeast/10/04/nyc.tiger/
The tiger was apparently well-fed and taken care-of
Posted by: milkshake | December 7, 2007 1:29 PM
God, the little footpads and smooshed-down butt in the second pic--Total CuteOverload territory.
Also, what an awesome dude. My friend and I are always talking about putting together a 'hot nerdy men' calendar (like the Luxuriant Flowing Hair Club for Scientists or whatever it is) and the Tiger Man would definitely go in there.
But I think we'll skip the animal-print banana-hammock and let the man have his dignity.
Posted by: Jenbug | December 10, 2007 1:53 PM