Big Cat Training Experience... My History With Big Cats

I have been privileged to work intimately with dozens of the "supreme beings" of all wild cat spirits-- African lions, tigers, and leopards-- for almost 30 years now... they are my love , my life and my passion. I was a trainer and handler for many years with one of the largest big cat rescue facilities in the US, Tippi Hedren's Shambala Preserve and I am also one of a small group of big cat trainers for motion pictures and television, working extensively with big cat trainer Rick Glassey. I have helped bring many of these truly awesome animals into this world, and nurtured, pampered, loved and trained them, always seeing to it that their wild spirits thrived in captivity... a heavy responsibility. Finally-- achingly-- I have comforted and ushered them into the spirit world, grieving them as I would my own family members. Coming to know them as I do has given me a true insight into the character traits-- or spiritual characteristics-- of each species, those connecting threads running deep inside the tapestry of varying personalities.
But this experience with big cats has given me something else-- a greater understanding and appreciation of the "average, ordinary" kitty cat. I'm amazed and fascinated that even after thousands of years of domestication kitty's still have their wild spirits intact, literally hissing and spitting in the face of "civilization". I believe it's what makes a cat "A CAT". Take it from me: kitty's really are just micro-sized user-friendly versions of their mega-bite relatives, and just as a Hindu proverb says "if you want to know what a tiger is like, look at a cat" so you can also know what the leopard and lion are like... right in your own home, and virtually risk-free! I'm compelled to express and share this, first through my cat poems and now with MEOWOW WILD CAT SPIRITS.... I hope you'll consider me a qualified medium for summoning the wild spirits!

1996-2004 Freelance studio/educational work DBA: Alex’s Animals
Owner/trainer of leopard, Bengal tiger, African lioness, spider monkey and wolf-hybrid used for studio and educational work. Tiger starred in Walt Disney’s "The Jungle Book-- Mowgli’s Story" released October 1998, among other credits. Assistant tiger trainer and handler on "Dr. Dolittle" and assistant leopard handler/trainer on "Mighty Joe Young" for Rick Glassey’s Jungle Bookings in 1997. Consulted and coordinated lion work on "Donnie Brasco" in 1996.

1998-2004 Assistant bear trainer, Ruth LaBarge’s "Bear... With Us"
Assistant bear trainer and handler of Kodiak bears for "Dr. Dolittle 2", as well as Toyota, Gatorade, Trident, 7UP and Farmer's Insurance commercials, among others. Assistant trainer/handler for black bear on Animal Planet's "Gentle Ben 1 and 2".January 2004 assisted with Kodiaks on Pepsi Superbowl commercial and feature film "Anchorman".

1990-1996 Big cat trainer and handler, Tippi Hedren’s Shambala Preserve
Handled and trained big cats, over-seeing 75 lions, tigers, leopards and mountain lions. Duties included supervising and participating in their medical care, programs for environmental/behavioral enrichment, enclosure design, handling/displaying cats for public/publicity, disseminating information on tour days, and educational appearances with cats, monkey and wolf-hybrid at schools, etc... Also coordinated "Adopted Parent’s Day" with parents/animals.

1986-1996 Big cat trainer and handler, Rick Glassey’s Jungle Bookings
Trainer/handler of African lions, tigers, leopards for studio work and live appearances (Jungle Bookings credit list). My tiger "Bombay" used for all attack work in Walt Disney’s "The Jungle Book" in 1994, and was featured in the Mandalay Films live-action film promo and Esso commercial. Did stunt-double work with tiger on "Beastmaster II" in 1990 and "Youngriders" episode in 1991.

1984-1986 Monkey trainer and handler, Doug Henning Magic
Handler and trainer of spider monkey used in "World Of Magic" live stage show that toured through the U.S. and Canada. Assistant trainer to Rick Glassey with tiger and black leopard.

1975-1983 Big cat handler, Lions Etc.../Noel Marshall Productions
Handler and care-taker/giver at the Tippi Hedren/Noel Marshall ranch (precursor to The Shambala Preserve) housing 110 big cats: African lions, tigers, leopards, mountain lions and jaguars. Duties included hand-raising cubs, over-seeing diets and vet care, helping mix and "wrangle" groups big cats for epic movie "ROAR", and stunt-double work for Tippi Hedren and Melanie Griffith.
"Attacked and killed" by tiger for CBS TV movie "MANEATERS" 1978.