On their wedding day, focus is on saving tigers

Lions, Tigers and Bears is an ASA-accredited sanctuary in Southern California: http://www.lionstigersandbears.org

UNION-TRIBUNE
April 12, 2007

When it comes to a wedding registry, Bloomingdale’s, the Pottery Barn and Home Depot aren’t the places of choice of Avery Zimmerman and Kevin Moore. In lieu of presents, this young couple are asking for contributions toward the building of a one-acre exercise area at an exotic big cat rescue ranch in Alpine. And that preserve is exactly where the couple plan to wed May 12.

They have volunteered for months at Lions, Tigers and Bears, a 93-acre animal retirement habitat started by Bobbi Brink four years ago after she discovered two aging Bengal tigers living in deplorable conditions in Texas. Brink since has rescued other animals that have been abandoned or outlived their usefulness for circuses and shows.

The bride and groom will wear formal wedding attire, but their maid of honor and best man will be in stripes. That’s because tigers, Raja and Natasha, are getting those duties.

To emphasize their commitment to save endangered big cats, the newlyweds will then “feed the tigers” (with a long feeding fork through fencing). The couple plan to honeymoon in Thailand, with a special stop at the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi, of course.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/bell/ 20070412-9999-1m12bell.html