Lion cubs move into new home

By Lori Bledsoe
The Alpine Sun

     ALPINE — Lions, Tigers and Bears the now familiar felinethropic facility, that is commonly referred to as the only exotic big cat rescue in San Diego County, is holding their fourth “Between the Stripes” fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 7.
     At this event, the three baby lion cubs that were rescued in April will be showing off their new digs. This new 110- by 70-foot habitat’s construction began in April and is securely built using nine gauge wire fences, with duel walls and four safety lock downs.
     The habitat, was designed by rescue founder Bobbi Brink, who also worked during the construction process, alongside the builders to set all the posts for the enclosure to insure that the construction was performed to her specs.
Many local builders helped out with equipment and hard work to build the new lion enclosure. David Raybould of Raybould Equipment helped out with heavy equipment and manpower to dig trenches, haul giant water tanks and landscape materials.
     Each gate on the new enclosure is designed towards safety, and the enclosure itself is equipped with everything a lion cub could dream of. In the center of the enclosure, there is a pool that emulates a rocky pond, perfect for a cool drink on a hot Japatul day, complete with rocks to climb on and a waterfall to amuse.
     In addition, there is a three-tiered hammock, specifically structured for big cats to lounge and soak up a pleasant day, or play with a huge sturdy plastic ball, hanging strategically in the middle of the lowest hammock perfectly positioned for a great game of attack and bat the ball.
     A very interesting note, the hammock in the middle of the enclosure is manufactured from fire hose, donated by the San Diego Fire Department, Station 20. This sturdy fire hose was woven by Bobbi, her brother, and friends, and then using 1,100 washers and screws, attached to the structure that makes up the hammock.
     A large rock formation sits in the middle of the enclosure, complete with working waterfall and a pond. A great vantage point for the lions to climb and look down from.
     Other contributors include: Earl K. Powers Construction, Robert & Jillian Cox, Production Plumbing, SCP, Devon Porter, TC Construction, Bobs Crane Service, Pablo Dadenos, Hawthorne, KC Equipment, Mark Brink, Richard Weeks and Richard Weeks Jr., Harlan Equipment, Amber May, Wrench Works, 525 Shockcrete, Mark Sanderson, Premier Landscape, Dan Porter, Leslie's Pool Supplies, Big Mark Rose, RCP Block and Brick, Master Halco, Ewing Irrigation, Richard Harris, Touch of Green, Cox Roofing, Butler Drilling, New Images Concrete Construction, San Diego Fire Dept. Station 20, Gorden Keiser, Granny Martin Museum, Justin Schuldies, Brian & Megan Porter, Candido Ybarra, Tony Lopez, Joe Guillen, Mario Weeks, Jenson Precast, Infiltrator Systems, Brian Pollard, Chip Enniss, Framing Associates, Area West Fence, Mike Martin, Charlie Camilleri, Allen Engineering Contractor Inc., Rick Rago.
     On Sunday, visitors to the Between the Stripes event will be treated to a Luau Themed Barbecue Feast while entertainment and live/silent auctions will be in process. The kids will be treated to a wonderful petting corral, and will be able to be involved in Animal Encounters, where they will learn about ranch animals, including rabbits, sheep, goats llamas, a horse named Bear and a pot-bellied pig named Miss Chevious.
     For more information, please contact Bobbi Brink the founder of Lions, Tigers and Bears, or Jackie Smith at 519-6162 or check online at www.lionstigersandbears.org.

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