Staring into the eyes of a nine foot tall, 600 pound Siberian Tiger - who just happens to be the largest tiger in North America - may not seem like a probable situation, but at Northwood Zoo anything is possible.
Standing only inches away while “Sinbad” feasts on his lunch, I was truly amazed that I had the opportunity to be up close and personal with such a striking animal.
But this was only the beginning of my experience at Northwood Zoo. Nothing could have prepared me for what would come next -- the amazing chance to hold two eight-day-old Siberian Tiger cubs!
Watching them scramble around on the ground as they took in all sorts of new sights and sounds is an experience I won’t soon forget. Neither will I forget the feeling of being surrounded by a group of Lemoore monkeys as they happily swung above my head, stopping for a quick second to grab some treats from my hand.
While this may not be the typical experience for every guest at Northwood Zoo, the opportunity to see tigers, lions, primates, bears, wolf pups, and all sorts of other exotic animal species at an unbelievably close range makes the zoo an adventure in itself.
Even more exciting is the fact that many of the animals are actually stars in the entertainment world! Northwood’s bears and tigers, including Sinbad – who has just made an appearance on the hit show “Borders”- have gone through rigorous training to prepare for all sorts of challenging roles. It is because these animals are so highly trained that Northwood is able to offer such a unique experience to its guests.
Immediately upon entering Northwood and hearing the lions let out their powerful roar, one can’t help but feel that they are far from any usual zoo, and this realization is only further solidified when one is greeted by the first group of wild cats – Canadian lynx and snow leopards. While these animals are often hiding away from sight, at Northwood Zoo the cats are in full view. Lively and vibrant, they can be found engaging in all sorts of activities.
Directly across from the cats, a new litter of feisty wolf pups – who also happen to be very gentle and friendly – can be found gallivanting together in their play pen, and they surely won’t hesitate to lick your hand as you pass on by.
Continue walking to encounter one of the most spectacular sights of all! Situated up at the top of a hill, a group of lions can be spotted lounging in the sun. Whether the hope is to see a beautiful female lioness or a powerful-looking “King of the Beasts” or maybe even a couple of cute lion cubs, Northwood Zoo does not disappoint. Visitors are given the remarkable chance to stand only a few feet away from these breathtaking cats.
The same opportunity applies to all of Northwood’s diverse species. Get up close to the predatory cat, the Cougar, or even the intimidating grizzly bear. Laugh along as all the primates’ play, including the Japanese Snow Macaque, the Olive Baboon and, everyone’s favourite monkey, the White-Handed Gibbon.
Watch as Honey, the gibbon, shows off her impressive howl and swinging techniques or marvel at the mere size of Mackenzie the Gray Wolf as he sprints across his pen. There’s never a lack of activity at Northwood Zoo!
But for a more educational experience, be sure to visit the zoo for a guided tour by owner Norm Phillips. Norm will offer a wealth of knowledge on all the animals he has created a safe and loving home for. He also provides scheduled educational tours for larger groups, such as public schools, senior citizen groups, and special needs groups.
While Northwood is dedicated to providing an exciting place for guests to come and see some of the world’s most fascinating animals, above all else, the zoo is committed to creating a better public awareness of endangered species. They are devoted to supporting the SSP (Species Survival Plan) and many of their cats are living examples of how their facility is making a difference to the treatment of endangered animals.
Another primary goal of Northwood is to provide education, not only to the general public, but also to students involved in work/education placements, such as high school co-op or Durham College programs. They are heavily involved with the Ontario Disability Support Program and Scugog & Durham Region Tourism and various charitable organizations, including The Children’s Wish Foundation.
My final stop of the day was right in front of the bear pens. However, after feeding a treat to “Ben,” the zoo’s black bear (who has actually appeared in many commercials and movies), nothing seems to faze me. Not even Cody, a gigantic kodiak bear, who is a mere two feet in front of me. One thing’s for sure; a trip to Northwood quite literally helps you face your fears of certain animals!
After asking Norm whether the intimidation or risk of working with such wild animals ever prevents him from personally interacting with them, I receive a confident “absolutely not!” As Norm explains, even after being chased and attacked by some of his animals, he’s always eager to get back to training them and gaining their trust.
When it comes to training his animals, Norm is fully committed to whatever task is at hand. In fact, a recent television series had him training his bears to chase him up a tree. A job that would seem completely out of the question for most people was nothing more than another day’s work for Norm.
He explains that in his business you have to be 100 per cent willing to push the limits and endure the risks that come along with it. And Norm certainly does just that! He shows me the many scars and wounds on his legs and arms and explains that just to feed his new tiger cubs over the next few months will cost him well over 500 dollars. But, despite any setbacks, he is also certain that everything is worth it in the end.
As I prepare to leave Northwood that day, I spot Norm excitedly showing a group of visitors around the zoo. I realize that he is right in his element. It’s this undeniable passion, love and commitment to wildlife that makes his facility such an incredible experience.
By Christina Coughlin
Focus on Scugog
Personalities
