What do you all think of the woman breastfeeding the tiger cubs?

[Catherine Vincent]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050405/sc_afp/myanmaranimalstigersoffbeat_050405081645

Keith showed a snippet of it on his show. She had two of them, one for each breast.

[Maddy McCall]

1. Gross.

And I nursed my son for two years.

[Maru Kitteh]

40. Why?

Most Americans drink from cow breasts every day by either consuming milk or cheese, which is definitely more disturbing because it is not a voluntary act of kindness by the cow, and it causes enormous suffering, waste and death.

Why is a woman feeding baby tigers with her breasts called odd but millions of Americans drinking from the breasts of cows considered normal? Cow milk is full of artificial growth hormones, pus and antibiotics. What's so normal and natural about that?

[GaYellowDawg]

75. Because.

It's not like millions of Americans are sucking directly on cow udders.

[Maru Kitteh]

76. It's just ... dumb, the idea that Americans drinking milk from cow breasts

full of pus and artificial hormones is somehow normal and natural, but yet at the same time assert that it is odd for one mammal to feed another mammal infant directly through a natural process.

Just because people are not taking their breakfast from under a cow directly does not make it any less stupid or disgusting for grown adult humans to drink cow breast milk. Cruelty issues completely aside, the contaminated state of milk and cheese in this country makes it unsuitable food for any living creature. Dairy in this country is a disgraceful mix of franken-hormones, bad medicine and industrial barbarism.

[GaYellowDawg]

85. I've had enough...

...of the stupid PETA line that milk is "full" of hormones and pus. It's not. There are only trace amounts of hormones in the milk - not enough for any discernible effect - and the bacterial count is WAY below that of the surrounding environment. I've run biology labs in which we ran bacterial colony counts of raw vs. pasteurized milk and your assertion that milk is "full" of pus is uninformed and just plain STUPID. Unless you've run similar experiments and gotten results firsthand instead from a PETA propaganda tape, then quit fucking telling me about it.

Animal activism in this country is full of bad and/or pseudoscience, as well as ridiculous claims, distortions, and badly written propaganda. Organizations like PETA have value ONLY because they, as a lunatic fringe, counterbalance the lunatic fringe on the other side.

If you want to live your life eating tofu, bean curds, and soy milk, that's fine. Frankly, I think it's stupid because the vegan diet unless very carefully managed inevitably leads to dietary deficiencies. It's also unnatural because humans evolved as omnivores that EAT MEAT(you know, canine/shearing teeth, lack of ability to digest cellulose, shorter intestines). While we're talking unnatural, breast-feeding another species is COMPLETELY unnatural. Matter of fact, all this talk has made me thirsty, so I'm going to have a nice, tall, delicious, healthy, safe, nutritious glass of milk and think of you while I'm at it.

[Sanity Claws]

2. As long as they have no teeth

it's okay.
They're zoo animals. I hope it means they'll grow up to be gentle around people.

[FreedomAngel82]

4. Never heard of it

Interesting. I hope that doesn't hurt. Ouch. Cute little cubs. I guess they couldn't find a mama for them.

[jmowreader]

30. Their mama ate their brother

There were three tiger cubs in the litter; there are two left.

[FreedomAngel82]

44. Aww

How awful. Why would she eat her own son? :(

[Maru Kitteh]

48. Probably the stress of being in a totally unnatural environment

and being denied anything close to a natural normal tiger existence. Being in jail sucks, you know? It's not natural for anything. Many animals held captive exhibit behaviors like this. It's an instinct of self preservation.

[jmowreader]

64. Animals eating their young is not unheard of

It's not just the stress of being in an unnatural environment. If one comes out defective, many times the mother will eat it because (1) she doesn't want it to suffer and (2) if it's gonna die and get eaten anyway, eating it herself will return the nutrients she expended to grow it out to her body.

[rodeodance]

6. i think it is beautiful that women can do something as wonderful as this

for the babes. but i hear tigers have course tongues (maybe babes do not)

[Dr.Phool]

18. Very cute, but they do have claws

About 15 years ago my downstairs neighbor got a kitten, and one morning it came upstairs and jumped in my bed and started trying to breast feed on me- and I'm a guy!!

But the whole time he was digging those claws into my chest. I woke up real quick.

[Sanity Claws]

22. LOL!

You must be a hairy guy. They're used to trying to find a teat in a mass of belly hair.
I took in some foster kittens from the local animal shelter and they tried to nurse from my old tom cat. He look so confused when they did that -- he jumped up and ran away from the kittens.

[Carni]

27. I have three male cats and quite frankly they have large racks

In cat terms--I have no idea what the deal is with my boys but they look a little strange!

[earth mom]

51. ROFLMAO!

:rofl:

[CoffeeCat]

74. Oh geez! I thought I was the only one...

I'm a female...and I was staying in a friend's apt several years ago.

I awoke to her kitty trying to breastfeed on me!

I thought I was the only person in the WORLD to whom this had happened.

Too funny! :)

[oneighty]

3. Mad Human Disease

Maybe.

180

[MazeRat7]

5. Well.. at least she was being fair and balanced... Meow (n/t)

[CoffeeCat]

7. Why doesn't she pump her breast milk...

...and then bottle feed the cubs?

I dunno. This is really just too...weird for me.

[havocmom]

11. The zoo vet said the cubs were somehow unable to nurse from bottles.

They tried that first and the cubs were not able to take the bottles.

[musette_sf]

13. we bottle fed four teeny baby kittens

and I don't think this is weird at all. If I coulda and if I hadda do the same for any of my teeny babies, I woulda.

My little girl kitty (she is now 4-1/2) likes to nurse on my hand... we spent naptime in bed yesterday as she nursed. It's very comforting to her and me. So no, not weird in the least.

[SoCalDem]

38. Sara still nurses on my earlobe, if she can get to it

:)..

I bottle fed 10 kittens from the time they were newborns..

I think the breastfeeding is a bit odd, but if it's the only way to make sure those babies live, and the woman does not mind..:shrug:

My friend and I nursed each other's baby when we sat for each other..My son and hers both survived it:)

[rodeodance]

15. pumping your breasts mechanically is not comfortable--I know

[Withywindle]

8. Awww...

I think it's cute. And brave.


Nothin' wrong with a little tit for (puddy) tat. :thumbsup:

[Warpy]

19. The closest analogue to human milk

is cat milk, so the lady is providing a great substitute for the kitties. The article said that they were unable to nurse from a bottle, so it was either this or death for the two beautiful little animals.

I'm not altogether sure I'd be able to do it, but I applaud her courage and compassion.

[LostinVA]

57. I think that's great, personally

Kinda odd, but sweet. Good for her!

But I agree.... kitty claws on your breasts! Ouch! My kitty still kneads her paws against me and she's eight, and it frigging HURTS!

[MsTryska]

63. cat milk is really a close analogue to human milk?

i was wondering whether that was healthy for the cubs. very interesting.

[Maru Kitteh]

77. Dog, pig or rat

milk looks like a better pick from this chart.
http://classes.aces.uiuc.edu/AnSci308/milkcomp.html



SPECIES
FAT %
PROTEIN %
PROT. /FAT
LACTOSE %
ASH %
TOTAL SOLIDS %

Bear, polar
31
10.2
0.3
0.5
1.2
42.9

Cat
10.9
11.1
1
3.4
---
25.4

Cow:
Jersey
5.5
3.9
0.7
4.9
0.7
15.0

Dog
8.3
9.5
1.1
3.7
1.2
20.7

Human
4.5
1.1
0.2
6.8
0.2
12.6

Monkey
3.9
2.1
0.6
5.9
2.6
14.5

Opossum
6.1
9.2
1.5
3.2
1.6
24.5

Pig
8.2
5.8
0.7
4.8
0.63
19.9

Rat
14.8
11.3
0.8
2.9
1.5
31.7

But hey, whatever gets the little tykes through.

[rzemanfl]

9. Wasn't this the country where a lot of the "W" campaign clothing

was made, even though the U.S. was not supposed to do business with them? I'd rather have this woman breast feeding tiger cubs than making "Jeb '08" sweatshirts.

[rodeodance]

24. In isolated Myanmar, young people lured by the outside world

i do not know the answer to your question, but this article gives us some impression of the country.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1548&ncid=1548&e=13&u=/afp/20050405/lf_afp/myanmartourismyouth_050405070534

In isolated Myanmar, young people lured by the outside world

Tue Apr 5, 3:05 AM ET


YANGON (AFP) - Enthusiasm bubbled over as students gathered in the morning to take their exams at the Hotel and Tourism Training Center in the Myanmar capital Yangon, after a two month course that more and more young people are lining up for.

Photo
AFP Photo



Myanmar is one of the most isolated countries in the world, led by a secretive military junta constantly wary of perceived foreign interlopers out to destabilize their government.

But in contrast to the military government's desire for seclusion, Myanmar's people -- and especially its youth -- are feeling the lure of the foreign world.

Across from the posh Traders Hotel in the heart of Yangon, a huge red sign reads "Oppose the foreigners to interfere" in Myanmar's affairs.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

10. Ouch! nt

[housewolf]

12. When they get teeth and sharp claws...

That is going to REALLY hurt!

Aside from that....

human milk doesn't have the right mix of nutrients for tiger cubs optimal growth ...

[rodeodance]

16. paper said they would be weaned soon-as the baby teeth start appear-

ing. They have no teeth at this time.

[LoZoccolo]

14. Those little tiger cubs are cute...

...but it's too bad they'll be fucked up because of this, and be trying to grab the titties of the animal handlers at the zoo for the rest of their lives.

[rodeodance]

17. umm..like some men I know

[Catherine Vincent]

20. LOL! Right.

[LoZoccolo]

21. Hey now, you don't know what it's like to be me.

:cry:

[Carni]

29. "hey now"

Is that YOU Howard? LOL ;)

[LoZoccolo]

33. Ha ha ha ha! "Hey now!"

I don't know much about the history of that...they're making fun of the dude that played Sulu when they say that, right?

[Carni]

34. To tell you the truth I have no idea... but it cracks me up! NT

[ltfranklin]

23. Make up your mind...tigers or cubs?

And did it help the play of either club?

[0007]

25. That's her business - The only thing I can say is that she is

the Cat Women.

[Carni]

26. I think it's weird but if it saves the cubs... good for her

As a person who didn't even breast feed my own kid...I think you have to be really earthy (or something) to make such a gesture!

[donsu]

78. 'earthy' is not a bad word

nt

[Ariana Celeste]

28. I think it's really cool

Kind of weird, but that's just because that type of thing is unheard of around here. But it's cool to know she cares *that* much about helpless little cubs.

[Is It Fascism Yet]

31. I think the fundies suck because they would arrest a mother on a bus for

breastfeeding her own baby, they used Janet Jackson's ugly and cruelly peirced breast as a club to beat us over the head with, but they think it's fine to show a woman nursing tigers on the news. Make up your mind folks. Personally, I have two breasts and I think they are just fine, but if you object to anyone's breasts, please be consistent. Thanks.

[leftofthedial]

32. as long as she doesn't do it in public

where anyone can see, it's a beautiful thing . . .

:sarcasm:

[Fleshdancer]

35. my nipples hurt just thinking about it

tiger teeth and claws...two things I NEVER want near my nipples. :scared:

[eissa]

36. My thoughts exactly

Nothing against the lady, but I was cringing as I watched that video!

[donsu]

37. this is nothing new, women have been keeping mammals alive for

ever. including the human mammal. in times of war, drought, or famine, a woman with breast milk can make a fortune, kidnapped, etc. there most be a book on this subject in Women's History I would think.

[Coexist]

70. That reminds of the ending of the Grapes of Wrath

Actually on the cubs thing, when I was at a LLLI convention someone told a story about a primate (chimp, orangutan I'm not sure) in a zoo who wouldn't nurse her babies. They contacted a LLLI leader and they had volunteers go out to the zoo, and nurse their babies in front of the primate. The primate mom got the idea and began to nurse her baby (cub, whatever).

Animals raised in captivity don't have natural role models for motherhood and need to be taught, same as us.

[Maru Kitteh]

39. Most Americans drink from cow breasts every day

by either consuming milk or cheese, which is definately more disturbing because it is not a voluntary act of kindness by the cow, and it causes enormous suffering, waste and death. Why is a woman feeding baby tigers with her breasts called odd but millions of Americans drinking from the breasts of cows considered normal?

Dairy cows are pumped full of rBGH, an artificial growth hormone that is transmitted in milk as IGF-1, a known carcinogen. Dairy cows are pumped full of multitudes of antibiotics which are also transmitted through the milk and consumed by humans in milk and cheese, even though almost NONE of the antibiotics are approved for human consumption. Why so many antibiotics you may wonder? To control the rampant mastitis that taints every gallon of milk on the shelves today with pus from the cows breasts. Is that what you want to feed your kid?

The natural life span of a dairy cow without the abuse and manipulation of man is about 25 years, but dairy cows are routinely sent to slaughter at just three years.

Dairy cows produce milk because they have been impregnated and subsequently give birth. The mother cows are then denied their desire to nurse their infants, and the male infants are usually have their heads dashed in or are sold to disgusting veal operations. The mother cow, deprived of any natural experience, then begins a "life" of servitude and pain resulting in "downer" cows with bones so depleted from artificially increased milk production they look like rippled chips.

Not the kind of Karma I'm looking for.

[Catherine Vincent]

49. M your M. I saw the video.

Very disturbing.

[Maru Kitteh]

72. ugh.............. yes it is. I fully realize not everybody is going to

choose to be a vegetarian, but for God's sake, they should care about what they're putting in their bodies (pus, cancer, feces, artificial hormones, dioxin, prion disease, campylobacter, etc.)and unless they are some kind of bloodless inhumane serial killer in training they should care about how other sentient animals are treated.

[Solly Mack]

41. Good for her! She's saving a life...endangered life at that.

[WilliamPitt]

42. If it keeps them alive

I see no problem with it.

[BiggJawn]

43. Nothing. Lower on my "Radar" than even Jack-Off...

How long will she keep it up once they get their teeth?

[VelmaD]

45. They're her breasts...

she can do whatever she wants to with them.

[Digit]

46. It's food for the cubs...

I think it is wonderful that she is doing this.

[Cuban_Liberal]

47. Good for her!

It's a noble thing she's doing!

:D

[noonwitch]

50. If it works, and gets them the nutrition they need...

But I don't see what the big deal is, unless they are selling tickets to watch.

[Avalux]

52. If it's saving their lives - good

I think those who have a problem with it are allowing sexual taboos to get in the way. There's nothing sexual about it.

[Catherine Vincent]

54. Not necessarily, maybe some but most feel if that's what she wants

to do then so be it, they just think it's kinda weird. Keith kept making faces on the tv when they showed the clip.:-)

[northamericancitizen]

56. sparosnare, I love the Plato quote, quite inspiring...n/t

[Avalux]

58. Thanks -

I've been reading some Plato lately; the old guy makes a lot of sense. :hi:

[moobu2]

53. I have this photo

of a native girl nursing a puppy c.1945, I thought it was unique but I guess it isnt. The photo I have is in a scrapbook from WWII thats full of photo's of remote south-Asian villages. I think the girl actualy has a bone through her nose.

anyway, It's odd but I cant see any harm in it.

[meow2u3]

55. I wouldn't be surprised if the tigers started talking

Just picture this: Tigger actually telling a guy he intends to kill him and eat him for lunch :silly:

[tinfoilinfor2005]

59. Nothing wrong with it.

I think showing the video really served no purpose, but there is nothing wrong with the concept of saving a life if you have the means at your disposal.

[ZootSuitGringo]

60. I recoiled, not that she did it, but that they considered that

Newsworthy.

There are so many things going on in the world that are not reported, so why is this worth a video?

Sensationalism at it's worse, if you ask me.

[Catherine Vincent]

61. Olbermann's show is half and half.

Half serious and half not so serious. That's just his way.

[ZootSuitGringo]

62. Well OK.

When I saw it, I wondered how long it would be before it becomes the "new IN thing"?

Here's hoping that we'll soon be watching Paris Hilton have a go at it. Internship titled "feeding cats for free".

[DanCa]

65. I am pro tiger

I love these animals and www.savechinastigers.org is my favorite charity, right after purple heart veterans, but even I have problems with this. I am sorry but this just gives me the willies.

[AlienGirl]

66. A mammal's a mammal...

Humans have frequently breastfed non-human mammals. Suckling a baby pig to draw out the infection was even an old-fashioned cure for mastitis (making the milk ducts empty frequently and refill again lessens the inflamation and helps the breasts heal).

Cat milk and human milk are a pretty good match. Actually, most infant mammals can be raised on human baby formula (Enfamil no-iron, and the exception are marsupials, who need the formula treated with Lactase first). In this case bottlefeeding wasn't working.

I'd have done the same thing if I were her.

Tucker

[Occulus]

82. For that matter,

nonhuman mammals are often perfectly capable of nursing humans. Also, there are lots and lots of examples of cross-species nursing, right in the wild.

Mommas know babies, I guess? :shrug:

Interesting, though, that mammalian milk is so interchangable.

Our country really needs to get over the "ick factor" on a LOT of things.

[Cleita]

67. It's her business, isn't it, what she breastfeeds, or doesn't

as long as she doesn't starve her own baby to do so, isn't it?

Cheeze, what worries people. On another note, ouch that's gotta hurt, with those little needlelike teeth.

[Lilith Velkor]

68. Aaaaw that's cute. n/t

[fleabert]

69. we drink cow, goat, ox, etc...milk. Why is this a big deal?

probably because they are getting it straight from the breast, and the breasts are seen as sexual, therefore this is equal to a sexual act with an animal. I don't think that way, but I am sure most do. Do I find it unusual? Yes. Gross? No.

we are mammals, we have mammaries, they work far better at delivering nourishment to another mammal than any bottle ever invented.

[Swamp Rat]

71. Wow!

Here kitty kitty! :D

[MisterP]

73. myself, I don't mind, but my Governor would have a different

opinion.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

79. I have a cat who tries to do that - but thought it would be a sicko thing.

Although this is a full-grown cat. If it were a kitten and was going to die and it was the only thing that would work - I would probably have to re-think it.

There are many other mammals who will nurse a strange baby cub, etc. so I guess it is something that we have condtioned ourselves to think of as weird or sick.

If this woman doesn't have a problem with it and neither do the cub - then more power to her. It's none of my business. Why they had to videotape this and show it is kind of strange.

[johnaries]

80. Things that make you go OUCH! WATCH THOSE MILK TEETH!

:grin:

[Auntie Bush]

81. We had a dog that nursed a litter of baby Squirrels!

A picture of it was published in the newspaper.

[Occulus]

83. That's what I was talking about above

This happens a lot more than most people are aware of. Not humans nursing other species (although, to be honest, I bet that happens a lot more than we know of as well), but inter-species nursing. A female dog will, for example, nurse kittens, rabbits, or as you pointed out, squirrels.

And the babies are fine with it... even if the mother giving the milk is a natural predator.

We could learn much from this.

[Bethany Rockafella]

84. I'm cool with it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

86. I think she truly does care about animal welfare and endangered species.

Which is a breath of fresh air...much nicer than throwing cans of red paint. :hi: