A German Shepherd dog known as
'Pepper' sits with two endangered Bengal Tiger cubs and a Cougar cub
(R) at the home of Veterinary Surgeon Rob Zammit in the outer Sydney
suburb of Windsor April 2, 2001. Zammit took the orphaned cubs into
his care after their mothers rejected them as a result of recent
heavy rains scaring them into focusing on their own survival.
Zammit's dog then stepped in to help them with supervising their
cleaning and toilet training.
Limited edition painting 22 numbered and signed by artist
2000x1162
The Story Behind The Picture
Source:
http://www.leabashiba.com
PUPPY LOVE: Vet Robert
Zammit's dog, Pepper, administers TLC to one of the orphaned tiger
cub yesterday.
by Holly Barnes, Picture: ADAM HOLLINGWORTH,
REPRINTED FROM THE SUN HERALD, 1/4/2001
It's the stuff of Disney magic - a story of survival, starring cute
tiger cubs.
Abandoned by their parents shortly after birth, the seven-week old
Bengal tigers have been adopted by TV animal experts Rob Zammit and
wife Fiona Fearon.
And they could be destined for a more permanent home on the big
screen.
Flair, Prudence, cubs form the private zoo collector of former
animal park and circus owner the Bullen family, are in the care of
Burkes Backyard vet after recent heavy rains scared the cub's
parents into dumping them to focus on their own survival.
Despite the family break-up, the cubs have found a 'surrogate' mum
in Dr Robert Zammit's German Shepherd dog, Pepper, who has stepped
in to mother the little big cats.
A nutritious diet of baby food, including S-26 milk formula, and cat
kibble, is being supplemented with single-minded affection of the
vet's family pet, who has relished the parenting role.
"Pepper, has been watching over them while they've been here and
they all play happily together," Dr. Zammit said.
" She has taken up many of the normal housekeeping duties of the
cubs' parent's".
These include cleaning the cubs and supervising their toilet
training.
Dr Zammit said the dog and wildcats also enjoyed bonding in front of
a good video, especially favorites such as the Tigger Movie and The
Lion King.
The cubs are expected to return to the Bullen's menagerie in the
coming weeks.
However , they will need to be kept isolated from their parents, in
case a hostile reaction to their return.
The cost of keeping the endangered Bengal babies in captivity is
likely to be met by advertising appearances, currently being
negotiated by the Bullen family.
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