America’s Teaching Zoo Welcomes Two Bengal Tiger Cubs

Bengal Tiger Cubs Neil and Karma take over the teaching zoo with ferocious cuteness

America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College is starting off the year in a tremendous way by welcoming two new Bengal Tiger cubs to the Moorpark College Zoo. On Jan. 10, the zoo staff, students, and trainers welcomed five month old Neil and a little over two weeks later, on Jan. 27 the group welcomed five month old Karma. 

Neil was confiscated by wildlife authorities and rescued from an unlicensed facility. The young tiger eats four to five pounds of meat per day and gets a bottle before bedtime every night. Lots of care and attention by zoo staff and trainers have helped Neil make a smooth transition into his new home where he will be properly nurtured and trained.

For optimal long-term quality of life, the zoo staff knew Neil needed a life-long partner.  A generous group of animal professionals made this a reality when they brought Karma to Moorpark, California via cross-country road trip. The female cub was born Aug. 15 and is only a few weeks younger than her new companion Neil.

Neil and Karma are very special to America’s Teaching Zoo and each carry important significance. Zoo staff learned they were receiving Karma the same hour their beloved mountain lion Spirit passed away. Hence, the name Karma, which symbolizes a cycle that continues eternally interlinking cause and effect. Neil was named after big cat trainer and mentor Neil Eglund, who passed away last winter.

On Jan. 28 young Neil and Karma were introduced in the presence of staff and trainers for the beginning of a special life-long relationship.  The zoo is in the process of building new enclosures for the cubs which will provide them with the space they need to thrive and grow. A non-profit facility, America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College, gladly accepts donations to maintain and expand the zoo. This in turn serves students in the Exotic Animal Management and Training (EATM) Program to ensure access to the rare and special animals of the zoo.

America’s Teaching Zoo is the only zoo in Ventura County and is the home of the Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) program started in 1971. The EATM program offers preparation for those interested in entering the expanding animal care industry. Students study zoo keeping, basic medical care, wildlife education, and training using positive methods.

Visit America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College on weekends throughout the year from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The zoo is located at 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark, CA, 93021.  For additional information, please call Kris Romero at 805-378-1569. A detailed list of upcoming zoo events visit can be found at http://zoo.moorparkcollege.edu/events/.

MOORPARK COLLEGE, one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District, was founded in 1967. It is set on 150 beautiful acres, nestled in the foothills on the southeastern flank of Ventura County, about 40 miles from UCLA, and approximately 75 miles from UC Santa Barbara. It is also a short drive from CSU Northridge, CSU Channel Islands, and California Lutheran University. Moorpark College was recognized in the Huffington Post in March of 2015 as the fourth-best community college in the nation. It has an excellent reputation for university transfer preparation, and its signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiation technology, biotechnology, and exotic animal training, which incorporates the world-renowned America’s Teaching Zoo. The college also offers a dynamic range of classes and programs in the visual and performing arts, and its pristine athletic fields and mild climate provide an excellent home for student athletes.

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