OH, YEAH, WE'VE GOT TIGERS AND CAMELS

Tigers in Perry County. Camels in Cape Girardeau. Is this what you expect to find in our area.

Once upon a time, exotic animals were found in picture books and in zoos. Nowadays, local farmers are raising emus and llamas. Now there is a proposal for a tiger refuge in Perry County. And camel owners and fanciers from all over the world have come to Cape Girardeau to learn more about the care and training of their useful and funny-looking animals.

What about bears? Are they going to be left out? After all, black bears used to be common in our area forests. Don't they deserve some attention too? As for lions, they are probably better off in zoos and circuses. Or roaming free in Africa.

Lions and tigers and bears. And camels. Oh, my.