The Wandering Disciple

A tiger wakes up from a cat nap at Big Cat Habitat in eastern Sarasota County. Much like a house cat, tigers spend much of their day resting or sleeping. In fact, a tiger can sleep 16-20 hours a day. This is mainly because they are conserving energy between hunts. You can get up close and learn about these beautiful big cats at the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary, home to lions and tigers and bears. The staff there will tell you about the animals, how they live in the wild and how their programs rescues these animals. (Photo: August 5, 2017)

A little bit of monkey business entertains the crowd before the annual fundraiser at Big Cat Habitat. The non-profit wildlife sanctuary in eastern Sarasota uses their annual extravaganza to spread awareness of their mission and showcase the skills of their amazing animals while raising money to support their rescue. (Photo: February 2, 2013)

A white tiger tries to beat the heat by taking a cat nap at the Big Cat Habitat in eastern Sarasota County.  The non-profit Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary is home to tigers, lions, ligers and many more exotic animals.  Here you can come face to face with these big cats and watch them frolic and play in their rescued homes.  (Photo: August 5, 2017)

A colorful macaw rides a bike across the platform during a performance at Big Cat Habitat.  Each year the Rosaire's put on a display of animal ingenuity during their annual Animal Extravaganza.  The show lets the world see the wonders of these majestic animals while raising awareness and money towards Big Cat Habitat's rescue mission.  (Photo: February 2, 2013)

A white tiger entertains the crowds at the Animal Extravaganza at the Big Cat Habitat. The non-profit animal sanctuary in eastern Sarasota provides a safe home for tigers, bears and more. To raise money for the care of the animal, the staff presents a wildlife show to help educate on these special animals. Click on the photo to view more photos from the Big Cat Animal Extravaganza . (Photo: February 2, 2013)

Who would have guessed that the King of Pop would have been reincarnated as a monkey....well not really. However this monkey on display at Big Cat Habitat did his best Michael Jackson impression for the camera. The Big Cat Habitat’s annual fundraiser continues for three more weekends at the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary in eastern Sarasota County. (Photo: February 2, 2013)