Tiger World visits Abundant Living

Malia the tiger cub gets frisky during a recent visit to Abundant Living Day Services. Malia lives at Tiger World in Rockwell. Photo by Katie Scarvey, Salisbury Post.

Malia the snow tiger stays alert during her visit recently at Abundant Living Day Services. Malia lives at Tiger World in Rockwell. Photo by Katie Scarvey, Salisbury Post.

Tiger World general manager Jennifer Williamson shows a python to clients at Abundant Living Day Services. Photo by Katie Scarvey.

Nurse Ann Rouzer accepts a python from Jennifer Williamson of Tiger World. Staff from Tiger World brought a snake, a turtle, and a tiger cub to show the clients at Abundant Living Day Services. Photo by Katie Scarvey, Salisbury Post.

By Katie Scarvey

kscarvey@salisburypost.com

File it under Things You Don’t See Every Day: a snow tiger walking around the activities room at Abundant Living Adult Day Services.

Her name is Malia, and she can normally be found at Tiger World in Rockwell.

Since Tiger World is closed on Wednesdays, Malia was able to venture beyond Rockwell to bring her feline charms to the clients and staff at Abundant Living.

The Tiger World staff also brought Bud, the ball python, as well as a red-footed tortoise.

Malia was certainly the star attraction, but clients were also fascinated by Bud.

Some, however, preferred to keep their distance from the cold-blooded visitor.

“I don’t like snakes,” was a refrain heard around the room.

Nurse Ann Rouzer was happy to hold Bud, however, and fascinated by how she could feel his muscles constricting.

“We’re bonding,” she said.

Rouzer said that everyone at Abundant Living has been looking forward to the Tiger World visit since it was announced.

Animal handler Danny Miner told those assembled that Bud was somewhat quirky in his eating habits.

“He’ll only eat white female rats,” he said.

The somewhat anxious look left some of the clients’ faces as Bud made his exit and the tiger Malia, handled by Jennifer Mayes, padded into the room the room.

Malia is blue-eyed and mostly white, with some dark stripes on her tail.

Murmurs of “She’s precious” came from several clients.

Malia was named after first daughter Malia Obama, who has expressed concern to her father about protecting tigers, said Williamson.

A white Bengal tiger, Malia is four months old and about 38 pounds, so she’s still small enough to handle in public places on a leash. Her huge paws hint at how large she’ll get. In eight months, she’ll be 100 pounds. By the time she’s 2, she will weigh about 400 pounds.

Enjoying the coolness of the activity room, Malia got playful, leaping on Mayes and rolling around with a ball, looking like a supersized domestic cat.

It seemed conceivable that — as the “Tigger” song goes — her top was made out of rubber and her bottom made out of springs.

“She’s just like a puppy,” said Butch Farmer.

Mayes gave Malia a bottle while everyone watched. The contents included some ground turkey, since Malia has started eating meat.

She’s still a baby, though, and sleeps like one — 16-18 hours a day.

When someone asked whether Malia purred or roared, Tiger World general manager Jessica Williamson replied that a tiger’s main vocalization is a “chuff.”

“That’s their greeting noise, what they greet each other with, or greet us with.”

Williamson talked about how satisfying but demanding it is to work at Tiger World.

“Most of us live on site,” she said. Staff members there typically work six days a week, for “eight, 10, 12 hours a day,” she said.

Staff members share the responsibility for the cubs after regular work hours are over.

“We will take her home tonight,” Williamson said of Malia. The tiger cubs need to get used to safely interacting with humans since that is what they’ll be doing for the rest of their lives in captivity.

“It’s a demanding job, kind of like motherhood,” William-son said.

The focus of Tiger World, which is a non-profit organization, is rescue, rehabilitation and preservation of exotic animals.

Tiger World has 42 cats now — including leopards, ligers and lions — as well as bears, birds, lemurs.

Activities coordinator Linda Taylor, who arranged the visit from Tiger World, was thrilled.

“They’ll be talking about this from now on,” she said of the Abundant Living clients.

Williamson said the Tiger World staff was happy to share the facility’s animals.

“It’s always great to be able to share your passion with others,” she said.

Abundant Living Adult Day Services, a United Way agency, provides care to frail elderly and disabled adults The program currently provides care to more than 50 families. For more information about Abundant Living Day Services, call 704-637-3940

For more information about Tiger World, 4400 Cook Road, Rockwell, call 704-279-6363, or go to www.tigerworld.us.