Dog adopts 3 tiger cubs

Published 10:38 pm Thursday, July 31, 2008

CANEY, Kan. — Three tiger cubs at a Kansas zoo are getting some maternal care from an unlikely source — Isabella the golden retriever.

The tiger cubs were born Sunday at Safari Zoological Park, but their mother soon stopped caring for them.

Isabella had just weaned her own puppies and was able to step in.

“The timing couldn’t have been any better,” said zoo owner Tom Harvey.

He said it’s unusual for dogs to care for tiger cubs but it does happen. Isabella licks, cleans and feeds the cubs just like her own puppies.

Safari Zoological Park specializes in endangered species.