Staycation Challenge San Diego: Day 1. Baby Tiger

Suka the Sumatran baby tiger at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

It is April First, day of fools, and the first day of the Staycation Challenge of April.

Coming in Like a Lion

He hasn't even grown into his paws yet.  So adorable.

March is over, and April 1st came in like a lion, or more appropriately, like a baby tiger.  I started the April Staycation Challenge with a visit to Suka the baby tiger at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Suka is an adorable seventy pound, 6-month-old tiger.   He is just big enough to put your large dogs to shame but still has all of his baby tiger charms.  He does actually remind me of an oversized puppy.  He moves from one plant to the next playing, attacking, shredding, stalking and leaping out to say hi to the people.  In between bouts of playing Suka wanders about with that bored mischievous look you fear in your puppy.  Then he happily leaps on another plant destroying it with vigor.

Playing with zoo guests, play stalking them and popping out to say hello

He is by far the cutest thing I've seen in a long time.  And also the most beautiful.  Just look at that face!

Going Out Like a Puppy

If Suka comes in like a tiger, he goes out like a puppy.  Sleeping upside down with paws in every direction, the very picture of tuckered out adorableness.  Suka plays hard and crashes just as hard like any other over-sized adorable baby.

Rejected by his Tiger mom his zoo keepers were his litter mates til he grew too large.  He is still very playful and comfortable around people.  So, he likes to play hide and seek/stalking people at the zoo and he also likes to nap right next to all the happy visitors.  He loves being loved.

How adorable is this?  Sleeping upside down with abandon.  Cutest thing ever!!!

A little cleaning before nap time

First Day Staycation Challenge Success

Even though I live in the area, I don't go to the San Diego Safari Park as often as I would like to.  So, with a great visit to the animals, particularly the photogenic Suka, this first day of the Staycation was a success.

 

Madder Hatter Tricks of the Trade for this outing:
1. Bring a hat or sunglasses - the zoo is always brighter and hotter than you think it will be
2. Be patient - if you see a bunch of photographers waiting for the cheetahs to come out, wait and you will probably be rewarded by some awe-inspiring sights worthy of photographs
3. Bring snacks - it's just a good idea.  Trust me.

For the other places I will be going in San Diego County this April, keep checking back to the Staycation Challenge here.