Ooops!  That isn’t a kitty!  That’s a young female Siberian Tiger.   Her name is Kisa.  She is one of two female tigers at Indianapolis Zoo.  Her sister, Cila, and she are old enough now that they have to be separated.

When we visited this last Saturday morning, Kisa was not in a very good mood.  Ellen, one of the Forest Trainers (she’s also the Lemur lady) said she was upset that her sister wasn’t out yet.  Her growls, or moans or whatever that really loud voice she was using was upset… and upsetting.  I wanted her to get whatever she wanted so she would quiet down.  Once Cila was put out in her adjoining area, Kisa quieted down somewhat.  But as with most adolescents, if it isn’t one thing it is another.  Next thing was the running water that is piped in to make the little spring/pond area.

Still she was growling and prowling around trying to make everyone as miserable as she was.  We, the camera shooting public, were just as annoyed, but for other reasons.  Between the eastern rising sun, the newly installed chain link fence (some idiot had put their arm through the wire fence originally installed – climbed over a fence to do this) and her constant movement, Kisa was not a very easy kitty to photograph.

Kisa finally settled down in area within range and out of the morning glare.  Now you can hardly see the chain link fence.  She was still voicing her discontent… although Ellen mentioned part of her problem was she wanted a boyfriend.  This perked me up…. romance?  Don’t we have a male here?  Yes?  Romance?  Babies?  Cute little tiger cubs?  Oh, my!  But, unfortunately, Kisa is not to be the mother.  Evidently they are thinking Cila, her sister, is a better prospect.  No wonder poor Kisa is in such a state.

I am sad for her.  All the zoos use SSP which is Species Survival Plan… a genetic dating service so there is no inbreeding and healthy animals are produced.  My wish is that they sign her up for a boyfriend and allow her the opportunity to become a mother.  Isn’t she beautiful?  Can’t you just imagine her little babies?