Edinburgh Zoo Offers Scots the Chance to Feed Tigers for £2,000
Edinburgh Zoo is providing a unique and thrilling opportunity for daring visitors to feed a tiger for a hefty £2,000. This attraction marks the latest addition to the zoo’s list of high-priced private experiences tailored for those with a taste for adventure. The Build Your Own Wild Experience package includes a lunch, coffee and cake voucher, 30-minute sessions with four different animals and their keepers, and ample time to explore the zoo at leisure.
Part of this exclusive experience involves the opportunity to feed two Sumatran tigers named Dharma, aged seven, and Lucu, aged eight. Visitors can interact with the tigers through a wire mesh fence from a restricted area not accessible to the general public. The animals are fed a diet primarily consisting of beef, deer, rabbit, and horse meat. Additional fees of £1,000 for adults and £500 for children allow guests to join the tour.
Lindsay Ross, the events and experiences manager at Edinburgh Zoo, reassured visitors that the experience is both safe and supervised, with guests remaining outside the main enclosure at all times. Participants use tongs to feed the tigers bits of meat from a bucket, overseen by keepers to ensure safety protocols are followed diligently.
Furthermore, the bespoke tour offers the chance to feed Asiatic lions Bindee and Jayendra, as well as enter certain enclosures to interact with and feed the animals. Despite the steep price tag, zoo officials maintain that there is a growing demand for such exclusive experiences, following the success of previous tours, including a £5,000 private tour during the final year of the giant pandas’ residency at the zoo.
While the zoo already provides packages for visitors to get closer to some animals in group settings, the Build Your Own Wild Experience stands out for offering a more personalised and intimate encounter with a variety of creatures. Guests can look forward to entering the penguin enclosure, interacting with sloths, chimpanzees, giraffes, and even the opportunity to stroke a koala or hold an armadillo.
In conclusion, Edinburgh Zoo’s initiative to offer such unique and intimate wildlife experiences caters to the growing interest in conservation, animal welfare, and eco-tourism among visitors. These bespoke encounters not only provide a memorable and educational experience but also contribute to the zoo’s conservation efforts in safeguarding endangered species. By promoting wildlife conservation through immersive experiences, Edinburgh Zoo is setting a precedent for responsible tourism in the industry.