BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle
UPDATE: Media attention on Isabella, the golden retriever that is now nursing three abandoned tiger cubs, has brought the national media’s attention on the Safari Zoological Park in Caney. NBC’s “Today” show is scheduled to air a live interview with zoo owners Tom and Allie Harvey on Friday morning, and National Public Radio also will record an interview with the Harveys for a Friday broadcast.
CANEY — At the Safari Zoological Park, a golden retriever dog named Isabella is being considered a hero after serving as a surrogate mother for three white tiger cubs born on Sunday night.
When Sassy, a 10-year-old white tiger female, gave birth to three tiger cubs on Sunday evening, the mother tiger began shunning her litter of newborns within hours of the delivery.
Zoo staff had been accustom to bottle feeding white tiger cubs in previous births at the zoo. However, keeping the newborn tiger cubs on a milk bottle requires the zoo staff to feed the cubs throughout the day and most of the night hours.
That’s when Isabella entered the picture.
After having delivered two pups just four weeks ago, the golden retriever dog was still lactating even though the two pups were starting to eat solid food.
Zoo staff had read about using other animals to nurse newborns whenever a biological mother abandons her young. So, Isabella was used to nurse the three tiger cubs in the absence of the pouting Sassy.
So far, Isabella has accepted her new role extremely well, said Allie Harvey of the zoo.
“We haven’t had any problems, and those little tiger cubs latched on quickly. Isabella didn’t seem bothered one bit,” she said. “In fact, we’re treating Isabella like a queen. She likes to eat lots of cracker and cheese treats, and she also enjoys sitting in front of the fan during these hot summer days.”
So, have Isabella’s own canines pups appeared jealous to share their dinner table with the felines?
Not at all, Harvey said. Young dogs and cats can break bread . . . -er, share milk . . . under the banner of animal brotherhood.
“Isabella’s two pups were getting weaned by the time the tiger cubs were born on Sunday,” she said. “So, they were starting to eat solid food. The two pups haven’t seemed bothered to see their mother nursing the tiger cubs.”
Allie Harvey and husband Tom Harvey Jr., are unsure if the three white tiger cubs will remain at the zoo when they grow into mature tigers.
However, the tiger cubs — and the substitute mother — are offering zoo guests a unique view into the animal world.
The Harveys said they were looking for a responsible person to take one of the two young pups born to Isabella four weeks ago. One of the pups has already been spoken for; the second needs a good home. The pups are a mix of Golden retriever and Australian shepherd. Persons interested in obtaining the pup should call (620) 879-2885.
Safari Zoological Park, located two miles east of Caney on county road 1425 (Old U.S. 166 highway), is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
