Sylvia Hatfield 5 year old girl swimming with a tiger cub Country: USA

1. Swimming with Tigers in Dade City Park
2. A Special Experience for Sylvia Hatfield
3. Randy Stearns, the Park's Head Trainer
4. Caring for Tony
5. Other Animal Encounters at the Park

Swimming with Tigers in Dade City Park

A 5-year-old girl from Spring Hills, Florida, named Sylvia Hatfield, had the opportunity to swim with a tiger cub named Tony at Dade City Park. Inspired by Tony's love for water, Kelsey Johnson, a 21-year-old animal handler, decided to create this unique attraction where tourists can swim alongside a real tiger cub.

A Special Experience for Sylvia Hatfield

Sylvia Hatfield's parents brought her to Dade City Park and paid almost $200 for their 5-year-old daughter to enjoy some quality time with the adorable animal. For this price, Sylvia and Tony were allowed to spend half an hour together. This experience was not limited to children, as anyone could greet and interact with the animals in the park's grassy area next to the swimming pool. The program included bottle-feeding Tony and swimming together. Sylvia thoroughly enjoyed the water activities with the tiger cub and expressed her desire to visit the park again.

Randy Stearns, the Park's Head Trainer

Randy Stearns, the park's head trainer, faced criticism from animal rights groups but defended the park's rights. He explained that water is one of the main elements of a tiger's natural habitat. Tigers are excellent swimmers, even having webbed toes similar to fins. Stearns clarified that none of the animals in the park were taken from their natural habitats; they were all born in captivity. He emphasized the importance of animals having positive contact with humans, stating that veterinary visits can be traumatic if humans are perceived as frightening objects. Swimming with tigers is also part of their physical training, promoting their health and simulating their natural swimming habits in the wild.

Caring for Tony

Tony, the tiger cub, had to be hand-fed as his mother rejected him after birth. Stearns mentioned that they had to feed him from a bottle every day. Today, people from around the world, including the United Kingdom, Iceland, Australia, and Taiwan, visit Dade City Park. Even elderly individuals who have "swimming with wild animals" on their bucket lists come to experience this unique opportunity.

Other Animal Encounters at the Park

In addition to Tony, visitors can also befriend a 1.2-meter crocodile named Ali, who is happy to swim alongside them. To ensure safety, Ali's mouth is securely muzzled during these interactions.