Kasey Stirling lords over this romper room of nine baby cats. But despite her easy rapport with the cuddly beasts, she knows not to turn her back on them. As cute and snuggly as these babies are now, it is only a matter of time before they become large enough to kill. The Biblical metaphor of “lions resting next to lambs” is evident all over this nature refuge. The baby tiger nursery, for example, where guests may have photos taken holding a baby tiger, resides right next to the baby deer room. Little do these mortal enemies know that they are such close neighbors.
This article appears in August 4 • 2000.