Swimming With Tigers Is Now Offered At A Private Zoo In Florida

Swimming with tigers is a hot new trend at a private zoo in Florida. The controversial ‘gator pool parties already operating in the Sunshine State came under fire last month as cruel and possibly dangerous activities. Dade City’s Wild Things — a private zoo, rehab center, and rescue — is allowing guests to make reservations to swim with Tony, the tiger cub, according to My Fox Tampa Bay.

Visitors have the option of “interacting” with an African monkey named Baxter or going for a swim with a Siberian cub that is six weeks old. Animal rights activists have voiced concerns about the traveling alligator swimming parties in Madeira Beach and the new big cat experiences. The Dade City facility also allows visitors to go swimming with an alligator; the reptile is 4-foot long and his mouth is taped closed.

Dade City’s Wild Things president and head trainer Randy Stearns had this to say about the new watery encounters with his animals:

“Well, with any animal, there’s always a risk. It’s not like we’re going to just throw you in the pool and say, here’s the tiger. You’re in there with at least one of the trainers actually in the water with you. They’re very strong, but they’re also very well trained. That’s why a lot of other facilities don’t let you interact with the cubs, because they don’t have the staff or the knowledge to do it.”

Stearn’s facility in Florida is currently the only known place visitors can go swimming with tigers in the United States. The experienced animal trainer insists that big cats are naturals in the water due to the webbing between their toes. The private zoo owner also maintains that state laws pertaining to his tiger swim encounters do not exist. Existing state statutes do mandate that the creatures can only be with the public until they reach 40 pounds. The animals must also be leashed or under a trainer if it weighs 25 pounds or less.

The Dade City Wild Things Siberian cub encounter currently costs $200 for a 30-minute swimming, lawn frolic, or bottle feeding session.