Easter Treats
in Alpine extend to the big cats
By: Cassie Jungers
For the Alpine Sun
At the April 3 exhibit of Lions Tigers and Bears,
citizens of San Diego joined in awe at the quickly maturing
lions, tigers and other rescued animals. Bobbi Brink, founder
and director of LTB, opened the organization in 2003 “to address
the growing crisis of abandoned and abused big cats” (Bobbi
Brink). Raja and Natasha, a male and female Bengal tiger, were
the first two cats to join her organization. They were rescued
from a ranch in Texas. LTB is a non-profit organization licensed
federally and by the state that cares for abused or unwanted big
cats. They neither breed nor kill any animal.
For Easter, the lions and tigers received boxes of meat
for their gifts. Kids and their families enjoyed watching the
animals open their presents and play with their boxes during the
event. Available to kids was an Easter bunny, blow up animals,
and an Easter Egg Hunt.
Amongst the tigers, 17 different species call this
ranch home, including: African Lions, bobcats, an African
Serval, a mountain lion and a leopard as well as ranch and farm
animals. The lions, Bakari, male, Jillian, female, and Suri,
female, were all born on March 16, 2007 and have been there
since birth.
Apart from providing a safe home for the rescued Big Cats, this
organization’s second mission is to provide educational
opportunities for students interested in the specialized field
of exotic animals. LTB is run mostly by volunteers, but needs
help from the community.
LTB uses raw meats, cleaning supplies, animal crates,
multi-vitamins, and many other supplies every day in order to
maintain a healthy environment for these animals. They greatly
appreciate donations that will allow them to provide medical
care, food and improvements to their current living habitats.
“To animals born in captivity and fated to ignored and
abused, I have dedicated this organization,” says Brink. For
more information visit www.lionstigersandbears.com or call
619-659-8078.
 E-mail
the Editor
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