Bengals' birthday bash

By Johnna Pinholster

June 05, 2009 11:59 pm

— VALDOSTA — Big cats celebrated a big day Friday at Wild Adventures.
Bengal cubs Raja and Liska and several hundred guests were on hand for the tigers’ first birthday.
The pair came to the park when they were just 4 weeks old.
They came out to celebrate while guests sang “Happy Birthday.”
Though meat cakes topped with whipped cream were provided for the pair, they seemed more interested in playing than eating.
Raja, the white Bengal tiger, finally dug in, finishing off both his and Liska’s cake.
The tigers then tore into their presents with relish, which was the sole purpose of the wrapped gifts.
Children of all ages squealed in delight as the tigers played. After the meal, trainer Chris Kilpatrick brought out Liska and Raja’s surrogate mother, Tani.
While the tigers checked out their enclosure and the audience, Kilpatrick fielded questions about the tigers from the audience.
All tigers are born with blue eyes, but only white tigers keep the color their entire life, he said.
Kilpatrick also said that starting today a new show called “Tiger Splash” will feature Liska, Raja and others playing in water.
“Tiger Splash” will run at noon every day.
After the show, 9-year-old Natalie Christie said her favorite part was when the tigers tore into the presents.
Her favorite tiger was Raja.
Brayden Felkel, 4, said he enjoyed when the tigers went swimming in their pond.
His mother, Mia Felkel, said they try to come every year to KidzPalooza.
The birthday celebration marks the start of Wild Adventures KidzPalooza, which runs through Aug. 2.
In addition to the regular shows at Wild Adventures and the new “Tiger Splash,” guests will be able to enjoy Hollywood stunt dogs and magical entertainer Aaron Radatz.
The first 1,000 children through the gates on Friday got a free KidzPalooza T-shirt, sponsored by The Valdosta Daily Times.
For more information about Kidzpalooza and Wild Adventures, visit the Web site www.wildadventures
.com.

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