Escapees March-April 2024

skpstops

Garden that allows guests to view and learn about the tigers. The evening begins with a nod to the culture of India with music, dance and fi re. Then, the performers leave, and the tigers and their trainer enter to begin the program of information, questions and answers, and enjoyment of the animals as they follow their own agenda in enjoying the enclosure, pools and interaction with their handler. Guests at the dinner have up-close encounters while being served an India-fusion meal that includes entrée, beverages and desserts. During the presentation, the tiger care team hand feeds the tigers and interacts with them as they run, leap, swim, chase and play in the display enclosure. The team has been working with tigers for over 30 years, speci fi cally in the care and exhibition, without putting them in a demeaning “show.” Guests can receive a bottle of goat’s milk (warm during the cooler months, and cool in summer!) to squirt into the tigers’ mouths from behind the safety fencing. In addition, the opportunity for “extreme feeding” is given to serve prime beef to the tigers with the aid of long, thick skewers atop which is the piece of meat. The tigers stand on their hind legs, bracing themselves on the fence to nibble the meat from the skewers. When the evening’s presentation is completed, guests are invited to jog along the fence to encourage the tigers to run along their side of the fence to leave the “festivi ties” and enter their bedtime enclosure. On Sunday mornings at 11:00 am, there is a Sunday brunch to experience the morning feeding of the tigers and to observe their free will activities with the team. Reservations for either the dinner or the brunch must be made a minimum of 24 hours in advance of a requested date. Check-in begins at the main building and gift shop 30 minutes prior to the seating time. Plans are underway to add a true “English Tea” to the fun, with a variety of teas and special treats and, of course, the tigers in their enclosure with the care team. Reservations can also be made for such activities as business team-building sessions, private parties, golf and tiger experiences and, soon, a complete wedding garden and venue for wedding ceremonies and recep tions will be added. For more information and to make reservations, log on to www.diamondvalleylodge.com/dinner-with-tigers or phone 855/9-TIGERS (844377). By Dr. Stephenie Slahor, Guest Contributor

Zara, an orange Bengal tiger.

Tiger feeding.

GUIDELINES FOR SKP STOPS SUBMISSIONS Material for each issue will be selected based on location and the migration of seasonal travel. Submissions of 300 to 500 words are ideal. Due to limited space, submissions will be edited. High-resolution photos are included on a space-avail able basis. Include the name of the photographer and anyone in the photo. HELPFUL HINTS Share unique and o ff -the-beaten-path RV travel destinations. Keep submissions brief and include only pertinent information. Include the best season to visit the destination. Include information on RV parking and accessibility. Send submissions to Escapees Magazine, 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77351, or to editor@escapees.com.

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March/April 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine