Early this week was Tiger Day and I was lucky enough to spend it at the Korkeasaari zoo here in Finland where I saw many big and not-so-big cats.
The star of the day was, of course, the tiger. The big male was very accommodating. He sunbathed, splashed in the water, played with his toys and allowed the excited crowd of families and holidaymakers to watch as he enjoyed his meal. His female counterpart was happier to stay hidden away in the cool shade of her own enclosure.
The snow leopards seemed to have the same idea as the female tiger. The four spotted cats, youngsters born last year, were draped across and under a large rock and seemed to spend the whole day enjoying a cat nap.
In fact many of the other cats at the zoo seemed to be dozing. It was a warm day, and with so many eager people wanting to glimpse them, who can blame these beautiful cats for taking a nap out of sight where it is cool and quiet.
We did get glimpses of some of the other cats though. The Lynx stood proudly at the back of its enclosure, watching the people who passed by with disdain. It didn’t seem very interested in having it’s photograph taken!
One of the wild cats took advantage of the bright day to nap in the sun, reminding us very much of our house cats here at home.
We did manage to see the Pallas’s cat. It too was curled up sleeping, but rather than being in the sun it was on a ledge half way up the back of the enclosure where it was almost camouflaged.
At the end of the day we managed to see a male Asian lion, but unfortunately my camera’s battery had died by that point. That’ll teach me to take so many pictures!
All in all we had a lovely day and really enjoyed seeing all the cats, as well as the other animals of the zoo.
Which is your favourite big (or not so big) cat?
Love,
Lady Joyful
Magnificent creatures.
They really are! Thanks for commenting 🙂
They are all so gorgeous. The lynx is probably the coolest one of them, with the pointed ears and all. Although Palaces Cats are pretty cool too.
Yes they are! The lynx ears are certainly spectacular and the Pallas’s cats are very sweet looking fluffballs. Thanks for commenting 🙂
For me, tigers! They look so majestic.
Tigers are very majestic, I agree! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Tiger!big cat,it’s true?I like him but ..spent with my house …hmmm???
Tigers are great, aren’t they? But I agree that I wouldn’t want to share a house with them! Thanks for commenting 🙂
In no particular oder: lynx , snow leopard and tiger 🙂
Good choices! Thanks for commenting 🙂
I’m ambivalent about zoos, but it may be the only way these species survive. All of them endangered…
I completely agree with you. It is always sad to see the animals in enclosures, but many zoos contribute greatly to the breeding programmes that help the animals survive. It’s important that zoos have good standards – enough space for the animals, the right kind of diet and things to keep them interested. Thanks for commenting 🙂
I love felines, big and bigger <3
But if things go so bad for wild kats zoo will be the only place to admire them!
Ciao
Sid
That’s very true. Hopefully it doesn’t end up being the case. It is even more amazing to see them in the wild (although preferably from a distance!) Thanks for commenting 🙂
Gorgeous and majestic!
Yes, they are! Thanks for commenting 🙂
I love cats of all sizes. 🙂
Me too! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Awesome!!
Thank you 🙂
Not sure I have a favorite.
Fair enough! It can be hard to chose sometimes, can’t it? 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
Our favorite big cat is the cougar! There is one that lives along the river behind our house and we catch glimpses of him as he moves down the river at night. He is magnificent and wes loves that wes can see him in the wild.
Kisses
Nellie
PS Tomorrow wes celebrating our 5th blogoversary! Please stops by for the pawty!
Wow, amazing that you can see your favourite big cat out in nature! How fantastic. Thanks for commenting and have a great blogoversary! 🙂
I love the lynx!!? ?
It’s great, isn’t it? Thanks for commenting 🙂
Why of course!?
I think I love the tigers best. They are so playful, like my cats.
Everyone should go have a look at the many images and Youtube videos of Big Cat Rescue, look them up. They are doing marvelous work at providing natural habitats for rescued zoo and captive cats as well as advocating for big cats world wide. Their little Sand Cats are precious!!!
Yes, tigers are very playful. Thanks for commenting and for your suggestion – I’ll have to look it up 🙂
I’m partial to leopards – so sleek! There’s a big cat sanctuary about an hour’s drive from where I live and I’ve been meaning to visit.
Good choice! I’m sure the big cat sanctuary would be lovely to visit. Thanks for commenting 🙂
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