Flying Tigers and Snow, Oh My!

There are more than 65 animals of various species being cared for by the staff at Alpine's Lions, Tigers and Bears.

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Schoolchildren weren't the only ones in San Diego County to be excited about a snow day on Monday

The operators at the Lions, Tigers and Bears animal sanctuary in Alpine in San Diego's East County shot video Monday of Nola and Moka, a pair of rescued tigers, enjoying the white wet stuff.

LTB was founded more than 20 years ago, and now features quite the menagerie:

  • 3 lions
  • 7 tigers
  • 1 leopard
  • 4 bobcats
  • 4 servals
  • 6 black bears
  • 4 Himalayan black bears
  • 2 grizzly bears
  • 1 jaguar

In addition, the keepers tend to a host of other beasts, some species more pedestrian than others, including cows, horses, mini horses, a mini donkey, goats, a tortoise and even a macaw.

Nola, who, along with Moka, is 5 years old, came to LTB from — where else? — Crescent City, where the white tiger was formerly a "pet," while Moka was rescued from the floorboards of a car at the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the keepers at LTB.

It's not the first time the tigers have seen snow, keepers said; with any luck, they may see more before winter's out.

Lions, Tigers and Bears is open to the public Wednesdays through Saturdays.

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