Five white tigers at a Chinese wild animal park became way too tame for their own good. Maybe they’d hung around humans too long or their lifestyle was too cushy. Whatever the reason, one of their essential instincts atrophied. A zookeeper put live chickens into their habitats, hoping they would pounce and devour, but instead they retreated as if unnerved. Tigers scared of chickens?! Since then the zoo officials have been taking measures to boost the big cats’ bravado. I bring this to your attention, Libra, because I’m worried you might be headed in the tigers’ direction. Undomesticate thyself! Halloween costume suggestion: a big fierce creature.
This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 2, 2010.