Young or Old:Namaste, A White bengal tiger

[selvin]

For years I've been trying to get a full face portrait of Namaste, the rare White Bengal Tiger at the Panaewa, Hilo, Hawaii Zoo. This is the best I've gotten so far and so the quest continues. Namaste (From the Sanskrit: I bow to you) is actually relatively quite old by wild Bengal tiger standards. They usually live to around 10-12 years in the wild.
Namaste was born in Las Vegas in September 1998 and donated by performer Dirk Arthur when he heard that the zoo planned to house Namaste in a one acre compound.

The fence represents both security for humans and sadness for Namaste since it imprisons him.



Here's a full length shot:

[vsch1]

He's beautiful, Selvin.

[Ordo]

Wow. Very nice. I suffer for the tiger tho. Stupid humans!

[Walter C]

Sadness in the first shot. He's spotted a tasty meal (you!), but can't do what comes naturally.

[selvin]

Vanessa, Ordo and walter C,

Thanks for your comments. I have to agree with you Walter, that thought did cross my mind while looking at Namaste. Incidentally, when he gets pissed off at any onlooker he sprays them. Yes, he pisses at them.
Aloha