Photos

“Too close” is the name of this photo and it was taken at the Edmonton zoo. Luckily there was a Plexiglas barrier between us. My daughter and I were very pleased that this wonderful animal was walking around. What magnificent creature!
Siberian (or Amur) tigers are the world's largest cats. They live primarily in eastern Russia's birch forests, though some exist in China and North Korea. There are an estimated 400 to 500 Siberian tigers living in the wild, and recent studies suggest that these numbers are stable.
Over the last 100 years, hunting and forest destruction have reduced overall tiger populations from hundreds of thousands to perhaps 5,000 to 7,000. Tigers are hunted as trophies and also for body parts that are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Tigers live alone and aggressively scent-mark large territories to keep their rivals away. They are powerful hunters that travel many miles to find prey, such as elk and wild boar, on nocturnal hunts.
A hungry tiger can eat as much as 60 pounds (27.2 kilograms) in one night, though they usually eat less. (Taken from the National Geographic website)
Taking this photograph through the glass diminished clarity and sharpness but I think it portrays the nobility of this individual.
PS I am glad the glass was there.