Thank you to everyone who helped make possible the best tribute we can make to Will, bringing in another tiger. Tonka, a lovely male tiger, was in desperate need of a new home.  He is already here at the Center, and will soon be shared by Tigra and Samantha.  Tigra misses Will, but I think she will enjoy having a new friend.

Will's Story

Will Tiger was a resident of Conservators' Center from 2003 until June 25, 2008.  He arrived late one night, in very poor health, and in the company of his mate, Lily.  They were delivered by professionals who had had to tranquilize them to move them in time for a court-ordered removal date. Lily died the morning after delivery because she was too sick to process the drugs used to tranquilize her for the move. We found out from checking her that Will was carrying a nasty illness that we treated quickly.  Suddenly we had a gorgeous tiger still in his prime living with us.

Tigra made eyes at Will for several months before we decided to introduce them.  Will walked right up to the door in their shared wall and introduced himself as the suave tiger he was, and Tigra went to pieces over him.  We put them together and they spend all day exploring each other's temperments and just hanging out near each other. They quickly settled in to wedded bliss.

Will had been in declining health over the last few months. Tigra, several years younger then Will, was a bit confused about his lack of former playfulness, but she was pretty understanding.  The last week of his life, she even allowed him into the pool with her, something she would not normally have tolerated. Such kindness is very out of charecter for Tigra.

In his final months Will was in a news story about the Center. He joined Doug and me for an interview held beside his enclosure. We sat in the grass, and he laid down behind us for some attention and a little commentary. We knew we had gotten long-winded when he began to actually snore.

Will was having obvious trouble on the weekend, not wanting to walk around much, not being very interactive with visitors and only visiting with his sponsor, Betsy, for a little while for some whipped creme.  Will was slow, but still mobile on Monday, when he came out to see me for the rest of the whipped creme.  He let Tigra have a little taste, but she didn't even get whiny or pushy when he ate the rest himself.

After that, he settled into his den box, his favorite hang-out.  We have him water and offered food, but he declined. Will fell asleep Monday afternoon, with a big block of cooling ice hugged to his chest and his face resting in a pile of fresh mint, his favorite scent.  An hour later, he was gone.

We buried him near our other beloved animals. Samantha, his next-door neighbor, called all through the brief service. The lions kept joining in for a 22-lion salute to send him off in style. The wolves and Singers also chorused as we said goodbye.

Tigra has been depressed, but still eating, since a little before he died. She is asking for lots of extra attention.

We miss hearing Will's loud "Maaawwww!" call if he thought he was missing out on something or if he was not getting the attention he deserved.

Will Tiger lived a full and marvelous life here, and he chose how he wished to leave us, with dignity and in his own time.

We would like to ensure that Will's lady, Tigra, gets a nw companion in the future. Will's fund will go toward bringing in a new tiger companion for her and for Samantha, next door.  Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Learn more about Conservators' Center and what we do at www.conservatorscenter.org

We honor and celebrate your life, Will, and also miss you enormously, big guy.

Mindy, Doug, Tigra, Samantha, all the critter and everyone whose life you touched