Tuesday, July 25, 2006
guha's (Post # 2 The Tigers)
The great British leader Winston Churchill once said of Russia that, "Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." I believe this quote best sums of Guha's Big Cats. Where did he get these cats? How does he afford them? How has he not been shut down? Why does he have a harem of mysterious women working for him? I feel like I am being called to do an indepth study on this organization. Guha's tigers might be the biggest attraction to the cat farm. They are celebrities appearing Disney films like "The Jungle Book" (his lions are also famous to with the large male being in both Jumanji and Romancing the Stone featuring Michael Douglas). Guha trains his animals himself. They respond to his voice and quite honestly appear to love him. Here is a couple pics of the beautiful animals.
Talking to Guha I found out that these tigers are much larger than the lions. With the lions weighing in at an impressive 800 pounds these tigers make them look small weighing in at 1200 pounds. One of the more intreging parts to Guha's legend is the stories that he told me that make me gasp and tremble at the same time. According to Guha, these tigers are scared of lightning and thunder. During stormy nites, the tigers call out to him in fear. Guha walks out of his home to their pens and opens the gate. The cats run out to his front door and wait for him to let them in so they can sleep beside his fire place until the storm ends. This was said with sincerity. He also told me that at nite he hops onto his four wheeler and and takes the tiger for a run in the back feilds of his unfenced property. When this was questioned, he claimed that the tigers know that it is their exercise time and that he makes sure they are well fed before going.
The tigers were definately on of the most amazing animals I have laid eyes on. I could not believe that but 3 feet from me were two of the under 100 remaining bengal tigers. It truely is sad and makes me want to start a foundation to save them. Well, I will be continuing my blog series on Guha's for my next couple of posts. Hopefully you find it as interesting as I do, otherwise I look like the biggest geek.
17 Comments:
- commented at 8:46 PM~
We randomly came accross your blog this morning. We are vacationing for a few day's in Huntsville so we thought why not check it out!
We loved talking with Mr. Guha he was fascinating. It's funny though some other people followed us in totally didn't get were freaked out and left.
I think the whole thing could be so misunderstood. I asked him if he gets any flak and he said they try.
Any how thanks for the post we enjoyed our visit.
Paula- NathanColquhoun commented at 10:12 AM~
How cool is that last comment?
you are now seeing that people are using your blog for their tourist attractions. I gotta come up there and see this- commented at 1:43 PM~
I came across your blog after searching for information on the farm on google. I recently travelled up to North Bay and on the way we stopped at Guha's. It was very disapointing...it seemed that we could've had the same experience at a zoo. We were told by family friends that we could pet the tigers & lions but when we got there, that was clearly not the case with all of the signs and such. I personally wouldn't recommend visiting there.
- Africa Trip 2006 commented at 10:43 AM~
Hello there! I too came across your website while seeing if I could find Nanda on the web.
I'm so glad to see that lots of people have found him and enjoyed their time there. On that note, I can't believe one of the anonymous comments.
Firstly, you CANNOT get this experience at a zoo. A guided tour of all the large cats found in the world (- the cheetah of course)with a man who has dedicated his life to caring for these wonderful creatures. Secondly, did they really expect to be able to pet a lion. These animals may be caged but they are still wild!!! The scars on Nanda's arms can atest to that. Thirdly, SOMETIMES, if you are a regular you are allowed to help with any cubs that he may have. However, as you can imagine you cannot let just anyone touch/feed/be around large cat cubs. Imagine the legal/insurance issues there.
Alright, enough ranting. Nanda is a salt of the earth guy and has been providing people with an up close and personal experience with cats for many years now. He has inspired me so much over the last few years. He gave me much needed experience with the cats which resulted in me getting a job at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia (southern africa).
Guha's lions and tigers is a unique opportunity to see many animals (he has wolves, foxes, alpacas, pot bellied pigs, and dogs too) up close, meet an amazing man and experience the thrill of being 2 feet from wild, lions, tigers, leopards, panthers, jaguars, linx and cougars. An experience worth much more then the suggested $10 donation.
Clare Wilkinson- commented at 3:50 PM~
I am a regular at Guhas and for the last couple of years I have been spending a lot of time with the animals and feel truly lucky to have the opportunity. Because of Nanda and his mysterious (lol, I agree it is mysterious) cat farm I have amazing opportunities. In my job I work with a variety of animals all day but nothing can compare to playing hide and seek with a leopard or sharing your lunch with foxes or being able to play with lion, cougar, tiger or jaguar cubs. It's a fantastic learning experience...there are some things that books just can't teach you. Nanda is a wonderful man who has indeed gotten some flak for what he does, but he truly loves those animals and although some things aren't perfect, the animals are mostly happy, relaxed, friendly, they are very well-fed, extremely well-loved and they get lots of attention.
Anyone who has visited (except those who are too frightened or dislike animals, of course) will agree that it was a very unique experience (definitely not what you get in the average zoo)and hopefully will leave there wanting to know more about the amazing animals they have just met and a desire to help these endangered species. I just decided to go and pay a visit there one day, after a friend told me about it and since then my experiences there have changed the way I think much for the better.
I was thrilled to find this website and see the posts from other people who know Nanda and all those crazy creatures and have also loved the experience. Animal Lovers are some of the nicest people on the planet :)- Carzy commented at 7:28 PM~
I was looking on the web for anything about Guha's Lion and Tiger farm, as I am a regular volunteer there, I have a great love for the animals and am interested to see what others have posted about it. For anyone who says that Guha's doesn't compare to a zoo...very true; you actually have the chance to view the animals up-close and personal (wild-animal), unlike at the zoo where the animals are a ways away in the distance or hiding in their dens. The animals here (@ Guha's) can be viewed without binoculars, and at a much fairer price. The animals, when viewed with someone who is regularly there, have such character. Some of the cats play hide and seek, some follow the leader, some speak in a copy-cat sense, and others will lean against the fence and give kisses. NOTHING like the zoo. Don't go there if you are expecting candy and pop-corn! It's not a cinema or a fair. It is a place to view animals and support there up-keeping. Mr. Guha is a truely amazing and kind-hearted man who knows so much about his animals. Spending so much time there, working or even just visiting, has really helped me to get closer to the animals and learn so much more about them. Yeah -- it's not brick paths and cotton candy. This is the NORTH here, natural stuff...trees, mud, and lots of bugs! Like it, or go to the zoo...and don't forget the bank FIRST! Guha's ROCKS Muskoka!
- commented at 1:22 PM~
Heyy
I live in Utterson and I work at Guhas I just happened to come acroos your site.
I am glad your getting us tourism, it is much appreciated. You may want to update your site though. A lot has changed. Some animals have came, some have been born and others have died due to old age.
I am glad you have found interest in Guhas it is such a great place. Please anyone if your up go to Guhas. It is an awesome experiense!
-Tasha- commented at 9:20 AM~
The comments that Mr Guha made about how the animals have appeared in various Movies and all the other things are lies. He is so far from being a really trustworthy person. I have known him for a long long time and I am very very disgusted with his stories which he makes up all the time. This comment is very truthful and I am not making things up. Contact any of his family and you will know the truth from my comments.
- commented at 9:40 AM~
I can't believe noone has commented on the suffering these poor animals have to endure, day to day, being caged for the rest of their lives and gawked at by the public. I also can't believe that anyone would want to pet these animals. Does noone see how truly disgusting this is?! Ontario has no regulations for keeping exotic wildlife so any joe blow, like Guha, can gather a critically endagered species and toss it in his backyard. These animals belong in the wild, with all the freedom that they can take in. I'm truly disheartened at the comments that praise this facility.
- commented at 11:17 AM~
I agree, Guha is a compulsive liar. You can't trust anything he says...
- commented at 7:06 PM~
I have personally been to Nanda's on several occasions...and becasme rather close to his pets. I held and bottle fed his youngest lion, which is now almost full grown and had the opportunity to go in to his cage, Saheeb's cage that is on several occasions. I've played tag with the panther and held hands with the jaguar, it was an amazing experience!
- commented at 7:13 PM~
I would also like to add that if you have not visited Nanda's please don't sit there and make comments about the conditions in which these animals are being raised...these animals have existed in his family for over 13 generations, they are safer with him then they would be elsewhere, they are loved, well fed and have the best life one could hope for these animals. These animals respond to him and his affection, they are let loose at times to excercise, raised in his house til their big enough to be outside. What we should be fearing rather, is what will happen to these animals when Nanda grows too old and tired to take care of them anymore.
- commented at 6:47 AM~
We recently bought a trailer to go vacationing in the Muskoka's and on our way there the kids spotted the sign to Guha's. We decided to take a day and travel the surrounding area and went in to see what this was all about. We were completeley amazed. Mr. Guhas experience, stories and philosphy/theory in raising and caring for these magnificent animals was profoundly life changing. Our children listened and learned a great deal about animal and human behaviour and the interaction between us. The love these animals show to Mr. Guha was undeniable. He would speak to them and they would answer back with there grunts and purs. He would go to the door of the encloser and they would meet him there rubbing against his hands and licking him. Eyes are the window to the soul and watching them look at him was clear the love they have for him. If other's have not been, you really must go and see. We plan to be regulars there. I am very thankful that you have this blog to allow other's in to get a small glimpse of what you have seen but to get the full affect you really must see for yourself.
- commented at 4:14 PM~
ok. if you look at the comments. the people who have said they went went on how a great experience it is. i volunteer there as well and no. nanda is NOT a liar. the tiger: raja played the tiger part in the jungle book - watch the credits. the black panther/leopard's dad played the part of the black panther. Nanda trained the lion Elsa from fly away home. none of these are lies. and if the animals were "abused and neglected" why would Nanda go through the trouble of going to court to save the animals? why would he own them anyway? he finds out about neglected/abused animals and saves them also do you think that he would be allowed to own them if they were abused? nooo. the animals so arent abused or they would not trust humans. if you entered their cage they would attack you or him or whoever after you get to know the cat u can enter - like if u work there! ppl r stupid. dont post retarded comments if u havent gone there dont post.
- commented at 10:34 PM~
Hello^^
This summer I went for a little visit to see my sister in Uttersoon, Ontario, Were she introduced me to Nanada. A.K.A Tiger man, I volunteerd there many times getting to get close to many of the animals, Especially Chandra a baby cougar. 2 days a go my sister informed me that the M.N.R (minstry of natural ressources) has taken in 8 animals, the hvae teken bhino, kaila, 2 of the foxes, and the lynx. As the big picture unfolds, they want to close the place because of poor maintenance and all. The thing is , that this place works mainly on donation and voluntering. Instead of closing the place down, coundt they help? Me and others are trying to stop this, at least save the animals as they might be comming to get more! I really need your help, i have a petition going and im looking for positiv results and comments. I beg of you, help me save them.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/looking4animalhelp/
there is he link for the petition, i need more signature! a lot more...thank you, and nmay god bless and held Nanda and the animals.
Thank you..
Sabrina- commented at 9:30 PM~
As a matter of fact, I have been to guha's and was disgusted by the conditions that they poor animals are subjected to. Do you not think that there are serious safety concerns with having visitors interact with wild animals?! I don't care how tame they may seem, they will never be domesticated. If you don't believe me, the MNR has recently removed all of Guha's native wildlife because he did not have a licence to keep them and the conditions were substandard. I think those of you who are advocating Guha's roadside zoo are advocating cruelty to animals. Place your selfishness aside and consider the lives of these animals. I'm sure they would rather be roaming their native habitats than interacting with humans.
- commented at 5:50 PM~
I am disappointed that there are supporters of Guha's. There are no regulations to keep exotic wildlife in captivity – anyone can have a lion or tiger, you don’t need any special license or training or demonstrated knowledge of a particular animal’s needs.
Where do you think those cats came from? Even if those cats were raised in captivity, somewhere back in their line a wild ancestor was ripped out of his/her environment in a violent way and put in a cage for their spirit to be broken.
There are no health and safety regulations or inspections to protect the animals or even the people who work or visit there. IT IS NOT A PROVINCIAL OFFENCE TO ABUSE A ZOO ANIMAL!!
When you visit a roadside zoo such as Guha’s, and purchase your ticket to see these animals, your money is providing a market and keeping those animals in small cages. Don't support these places, don't visit them.
Instead of visiting this roadside zoo in Muskoka, visit a reforestation project and watch birds and critters in their natural environment, or visit a sanctuary where indigenous species are being rehabilitated and reintroduced to the wild … that’s where they belong, not in a cage.
Read up on this issue and form your own opinion on how you feel about this – but don’t accept what you see as face value.
Those animals are prisoners of Guha's greed, and I wish that someone could go in there and remove those animals and place them in an environment where they can more stimulated and better cared for.
Thank you for reading.
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