The story behind the picture

PUPPY LOVE: Vet Robert Zammit's dog, Pepper, administers TLC to one of the orphaned tiger cub yesterday.

by Holly Barnes, Picture: ADAM HOLLINGWORTH, 

REPRINTED FROM THE SUN HERALD, 1/4/2001

It's the stuff of Disney magic - a story of survival, starring cute tiger cubs.

Abandoned by their parents shortly after birth, the seven-week old Bengal tigers have been adopted by TV animal experts Rob Zammit and wife Fiona Fearon.

And they could be destined for a more permanent home on the big screen.

Flair, Prudence, cubs form the private zoo collector of former animal park and circus owner the Bullen family, are in the care of Burkes Backyard vet after recent heavy rains scared the cub's parents into dumping them to focus on their own survival.

Despite the family break-up, the cubs have found a 'surrogate' mum in Dr Robert Zammit's German Shepherd dog, Pepper, who has stepped in to mother the little big cats.

A nutritious diet of baby food, including S-26 milk formula, and cat kibble, is being supplemented with single-minded affection of the vet's family pet, who has relished the parenting role.

"Pepper, has been watching over them while they've been here and they all play happily together," Dr. Zammit said.

" She has taken up many of the normal housekeeping duties of the cubs' parent's".

These include cleaning the cubs and supervising their toilet training.

Dr Zammit said the dog and wildcats also enjoyed bonding in front of a good video, especially favorites such as the Tigger Movie and The Lion King.

The cubs are expected to return to the Bullen's menagerie in the coming weeks.

However , they will need to be kept isolated from their parents, in case a hostile reaction to their return.

The cost of keeping the endangered Bengal babies in captivity is likely to be met by advertising appearances, currently being negotiated by the Bullen family.