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Jun. 13, 2008
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WHAT MORE COULD YOU NEED

Siegfried gets his birthday wish, Roy gets 'perfect rehab'

By MAGGIE LILLIS
REVIEW-JOURNAL
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Tiger cub slide show

Tiger cub video


Svengali, left, and three female tiger cubs frolic Thursday at Siegfried & Roy's Jungle Palace compound. The 6-week-old cubs and a fifth one will be introduced to the public today at the duo's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage.
Photos by Jason Bean/Review-Journal



Entertainers Siegfried Fischbacher, left, and Roy Horn play Thursday with a young female tiger cub.



A 6-week-old female white tiger cub is one of five cubs that entertainers Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn introduced at a media event Thursday.

Siegfried Fischbacher has five reasons why his Friday the 13th birthday will have little to do with bad luck.

The entertainer and his partner, Roy Horn, will introduce five 6-week-old tiger cubs to the public today at Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage.

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    • The adventurous bunch of cubs -- four females and one male -- are all Fischbacher said he wanted as he turns 69.

    "You see the smile on Roy's face and the whole thing," he said. "This is it -- what more could you ask for?"

    The cubs made their presence known Thursday, screeching and fumbling over each other as Fischbacher and Horn posed for photos, often playfully using Horn's lap as a personal jungle gym.

    Two handlers were nearby to scoop up the cubs when they stumbled off a small couch to explore.

    Horn offered the cubs kisses and caresses as they climbed and fumbled around him.

    "This is the best rehab for Roy," Fischbacher said. "It gives him a reason to get up in the morning, to feed them a bottle and get comfortable."

    Horn nearly died from a white tiger attack at The Mirage in October 2003 and has had several operations during his recovery.

    He remained seated Thursday, didn't answer questions during the news conference and walked with help from a nurse and Fischbacher when it ended.

    Fischbacher said Horn underwent knee surgery three weeks ago so that he could interact with the animals.

    Although Fischbacher didn't say whether the cubs' parents are any of the pair's other animals, he said two of the four females are white tigers and two are striped white tigers. The male is a golden tiger.

    "He's already the leader," Fischbacher said. "He's 'Svengali,' that's Roy's choice. He is with four girls. ... He has to hold court."

    The golden tiger cub is a new breed for Fischbacher and Horn, and he was selected from the pair's outside breeding program.

    "We picked the ones that suit to our bloodline so we are not inbreeding," Fischbacher said.

    All five cubs arrived at the entertainers' Jungle Palace compound three weeks ago and have already tripled in size. Each weighs a fluffy 15 pounds, and they consume milk and some meats every three hours. As of now, Svengali is the only cub to be named. The females will be named by local students at a later date.

    The cubs will be on exhibit at the Secret Garden during the day and will retreat to a nursery on the grounds at night.

    Fischbacher was unsure whether the cubs will be part of the duo's one-night performance at the "Keep Memory Alive" Alzheimer's fundraiser in February.

    "We are going to appear, whatever it takes," he said. "With all these things, we create an awareness."

    Until then, Fischbacher said, he and Horn will soak up time with the active fivesome.

    "They are the perfect species, they fit perfectly into our family and, for Roy, they are the perfect rehab," he said. "Everything is just perfect."

    Contact reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.

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    gloria sapp wrote on June 17, 2008 09:44 AM: Beautiful pictures of the cats. I am glad there are people like you who are doing so much good for the cats. Thank you for these pictures. Way to go Roy.


    Kelly wrote on June 13, 2008 10:23 PM: Thank you for this very well needed cuteness overload! I'm looking forward to visiting the babies at the Mirage!


    K Eardley wrote on June 13, 2008 06:54 PM: What a heart warming story, very well written.


    Rory wrote on June 13, 2008 04:55 PM: Why does the RJ continue to celebrate Siegfried & Roy's twisted breeding program, which selectively breeds what should be wild animals for a genetic defect, just because it looks cool?


    Rosemary Lillis wrote on June 13, 2008 12:30 PM: WAY TO GO MAGGIE!!!!!!!!!1


    Deb wrote on June 13, 2008 10:13 AM: I think it is WONDERFUL that Roy Horn is still active in his animals life's, Roy is a great example that you can over come anything, good luck to ROy Horn and most of all DON'T Ever Give up those animals need you and we as the public need your insperation!!!!


    wildbill wrote on June 13, 2008 10:03 AM: Hey Luvenor Jimbo, these are cute, but not the same species. Sorry all, couldn't resist....


    outta here wrote on June 13, 2008 09:45 AM: With all the sad things happening lately its so nice to see such a heart felt story.


    Cindy wrote on June 13, 2008 08:51 AM: What a heart warming story. My good wished to both of you.

    P.S. To the RJ, please remove these terrible remarks by moronic people.


    wildbill wrote on June 13, 2008 08:00 AM: C'mon guys....finally something I could smile about around here.