Blind

The Visually Impaired get hands on with a Tiger

Did a fascinating and crazy story awhile back for the Wall Street Journal about the Oregon Zoo.  In seems the zoo anesthetizes its tigers every few years to do check ups.  Well someone had the idea to add a bunch of visually impaired children to this scenario.  I can just imagine the conversation where someone pitches this idea.  But somebody pitched and somebody agreed and the result was both amazing and surreal.  Swarms of people touching the paws, whiskers, even the tongue, of a 235-pound Siberian named Nikki.  Meanwhile the big cat is being shaved, having blood drawn, getting its temperature taken (and yes, you are correct about where the thermometer was placed).  Really a once in a lifetime experience not only for the children, but for myself.  Oh, and the tiger.20130716_Blind_036 20130716_Blind_066 20130716_Blind_043 20130716_Blind_044 20130716_Blind_049 20130716_Blind_052 20130716_Blind_059 20130716_Blind_062 20130716_Blind_064 20130716_Blind_042