I was kinda bored this weekend and decided to visit Linton Zoo which is only about 10 miles off Cambridge. Climbed out of bed, made breakfast, called home, and after a quick bath....grabbed my Lowepro bag with my 'ka chang' and drove to my destination. It was cloudy initially but the sun came out and it was just brilliant. Linton Zoo is not big...just small enough to house some big cats, zebras, lotsa owls, tamarins, birds and a handful of reptiles. Enough for me as i dont really wanna spend too long there anyways.
Paid £7 at the entrance and made my way around. Saw the birds...turtles....toucan...some owls... and then...the BIG CATS. As i was walking near the enclosure, some tourist told me to watch out as the 'Lion' was apparently spraying around. I then noticed that it was in 'heat' and erm..manage to get a glimpse of a courting and mating ritual. Guess nothing to do, so eat, sleep, shit, and sex loh..
Then i heard a roar...almost a roar...more like intermittent grunts. The sound was definitely from a big animal. I moved on...and the sound was coming from the 'tiger' neighbours. There were 4 tigers there. The next thing i know, i was witnessing an event that i have only seen in humans... status epilepticus. Status 'tigris' epilepticus..
I manage to capture that very moment with my camera. I was disheartened to watch that cat fitting away and nothing can be done. Hands tied. Some of us watching managed to get the keepers to help but i guess there isn't anything that can be done. The other tigers just refused to leave as though sensing something was wrong with their sibling. Its just amazing. It went on and on for at least 10-15 minutes. Tonic-clonic (shaking violently) all the time... with heavy breathing in between... then...finally it stopped. The tiger was very drowsy and struggling to be on its paws. It made a few steps and fell back to the ground. As though knowing what actually happened, another tiger seems to be encouraging it. Half an hour past before the tiger regained its composure...moving around the enclosure...being watch by new oblivious tourist.
i wish that tiger would be examined by the vet soon...
6 comments:
Dear Doctor,
Will the tiger be ok eventually? Is the fitting a one off thing or is it a sickness that it will have to bear for life? So kesian..will it die?!!
Why didnt you jump in and help!!! Be like a superman mah!! Tat's what doctor is suppose to do!!
Btw, i bet you must have taken loads and loads of shots of the tigers...U can change career la and be national geographic photographer or sumthin..
wah!! I checked out your flickr site...all your animatography is very nice!!! hmmmm.....wonder if i can 'tiru' you and visit London Zoo to take photos... kekeke... :p
sigh...can only go anywhere outdoor if the weather gets better la..shitty weateher so far for summer..seems like spring still...rain rain rain rain...windy, cloudy..
ch: i dont know whether the tiger would be alright eventually. it seems ok when i left. but whatever is causing it to fit...that needs investigation and treatment if necessary.
jump in? you have gotta be 'gila'.. tiger lah.. 4 somemore.. not human... moreover even if i jump in..its a male tiger and i only attend to female patients lah..
thanks for browsing through my flickr pics..erm national geography photographer...hmmm how i wish i could reach that standard and have the chance...
nice one! :)poor tiger. looks a bit overweight..
the imaginary conversations can fit into any neuro ward..LOL
Wah you are really having fun with your new lens eh ? Hehe
stephanie: yes i wouldnt be surprise to find that situation in the neuro ward yes.. hahaha
sbanboy: yes pretty much so for now. to be honest its a great lens...good f2.8 gets all the distraction away..
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