A Tale of Two Tigers

"To be or not to be." That was the question being faced unwittingly by the two tigers who had been living happily in an English zoo.. The zoo was to be closed down and so their future was in jeopardy. They had to be found a new home or they might not be at all!

The owners of the zoo had found new homes for most of the smaller animals, but two tigers presented a more serious problem. Being such large animals, tigers require very specialised housing and diets. They are also expensive to look after as well as needing highly-trained keepers.

In a desperate effort to persuade someone that the pair was a desirable couple worthy of rehousing, they decided to explain their plight on national television.. The tigers behaved beautifully in front of the cameras, giving the public a sample of all the best tiger-type poses. The effect was incredible and the tigers received hundreds of cards wishing them luck from viewers all over the country. But after three days there was still no definite offer of a home. Then a strange message came through to the zoo.

The tigers had been offered a new home but in Glasgow Zoo which, to everyone's knowledge, had not the correct type of accommodation available.

Although extremely grateful for the offer, the zoo owners were troubled in case they had misunderstood the message or it was some kind of joke. However, a long-distance telephone call to Glasgow revealed a story so full of coincidence and luck that it seemed almost too good to be true! Apparently, while their artist was working hard on a portrait of a highly distinguished Nigerian chief, Bola Abimbola of the house of Adimula, who is a jet-setting man of considerable wealth and influence. His vast family is spread throughout the world and his network of friends is enormous.

During the sitting, the artist kept the television turned on to ensure that this extremely energetic and busy man would remain still and occupied for more than a few seconds at a time. As luck would have it, the Chief saw the news item and was profoundly affected by the dilemma of the tigers.

Bola Abimula decided to buy the pair and donate them to a zoo - but which one? The painter, being a loyal Glaswegian, naturally suggested Glasgow Zoo. At first this seemed a simple solution. That is, until they phoned the zoo director. The offer was terribly enticing, but Glasgow Zoo simply did not have an enclosure suitable for tigers, nor did it have sufficient funds to build one. It seemed as though the Chief's rescue plans would collapse - but being a man not used to being thwarted, he would not accept no for an answer.

If he could provide Glasgow Zoo with the tigers he could also provide them with a new enclosure! The Chief had a great many business associates in the west of Scotland who, with a little gentle persuasion, could be encouraged to help him to save the animals. And so it proved. A spacious site was chosen beside a river overlooking a golf course and the path of a Roman road. The architect went to work on a unique design to revolutionise tiger enclosures. Business contacts donated fencing, paving, bricks, wiring, plumbing - in fact, all the materials and skills which were necessary to construct the new enclosure. It was a demonstration of human generosity worthy of being called "Tiger Aid".

When the work was completed, the tigers travelled north to take up residence in their new and palatial home in Scotland. It is a palace for tigers. There are three dens. The main one has large windows which provide a spectacular view across the golf course and over the beautiful zoo gardens. Next to this is a more secluded area which is extremely useful when either of them needs a little peace and quiet. And finally, there is a cubbing den, which was used for the birth of their two female cubs. All these lead out on to their fabulous garden, which is full of trees and logs. There is a high platform, too, where they can soak up the sun and which provides a good vantage point from which to check out the visitors. Perhaps best of all is their own private swimming-pool. Unlike other members of the cat family, tigers love to have a paddle, especially when it gets hot during the summer, and the pool has been a tremendous amenity for them both.

When the tigers had finally settled in their new home, the zoo director threw a house-warming party. Hundreds of people flocked round to see the tigers and their new home. Cameras clicked; limousines rolled up and most of Glasgow's prominent citizens made the journey. Guests of honour were, of course Chief Bola and members of his family. The Lord Provost of Glasgow arrived, wearing his official gold chain of office, and when he eventually inaugurated the "Adimula Tiger Den" everyone - even the tigers - heaved a huge sigh of relief that through people's kindness the magnificent tigers had not only been saved but also provided with one of the finest homes in the country!

Ben and Sabrina were the first tigers to inhabit the Adimula Tiger Den.