Rent-a-cub

Steve Winter's Image

This family likely paid hundreds of dollars for the opportunity to feed a tiger cub at the Ringling Animal Care Center, Oklahoma.

Tigers are taken from their parents as cubs, before their eyes open, and are later killed, or otherwise disposed of, when they are no longer small enough. This cub’s owner was previously banned from exhibiting animals after a person was killed by tigers in his care.


Behind the lens

Steve Winter

Steve became a National Geographic photojournalist in 1991 and specialises in photographing big cats. He lectures on photography and conservation issues, selling out venues from the Sydney Opera House in Australia to the Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, Canada. He won the grand prize for Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2008.

Image details

  • Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
  • 24–105mm f4 lens
  • 1/30 sec at f8  •   ISO 6400
  • USA
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.

More images from Steve Winter

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Hollywood cougar
Saved but caged
Sacrifice

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