Tigers and lions in the yard exhibit typical wild behavior, sleeping most of the day to conserve their energy. They also patrol and scent mark the perimeter of the yard, just as they would patrol the perimeter of their territory in the wild. Black arrows painted on the concrete walls in the white Bengal tiger's yard point to signs of scent marking. These brown balls weigh about 30 pounds, and swatting them around keeps the cats entertained throughout the day. When temperatures rise, the tigers, but not the lions, will also swim in the moat to cool off.
Visitors come with their cameras hoping to see something.
As Soyono comes into heat this spring, Millner and the other keepers are anxiously watching the female, and Rokan, her intended mate. All hope that Millner won't need a photograph to reveal what develops. A keeper's day ends much the way it begins, only in reverse. The cats are brought inside, checked, and fed. Although the process may seem a bit monotonous, keepers enjoy working with the great cats at the Zoo.