Meet the Cats of Odin’s Temple of the Tiger

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom has been the home of tigers since 1968, advocating conservation and awareness of these magnificent animals and educating the public about these critically endangered cats.

The park is home to 11 Bengal and Amur tigers, all of which were raised at the park from the time they were young cubs. The trainers work directly with the cats - basically wild animals that are very well-trained. To get to this point, the trainers worked over time to build a bond and relationship with the animals by raising them from a very young age. Ultimately, they were able to develop a mutual trust and understanding to be able to work with the adult cats today.

Odin

Male white Bengal tiger - Born June 17, 2001 - Odin is the namesake and star of the new show. He became world-famous for his underwater feats when photos of his swimming prowess went viral in 2007. As a legacy, his mother was the first white tiger born at the park. He has a very laidback disposition, and tolerates the tiger cubs introduced to him. Though territorial at times, when he does not want to participate in a show, he does not have too. When he gets used to a routine, he does not like change.

Kashmir

Female white Bengal tiger - Born January 3, 1994 - Kashmir is the oldest tiger at the park and is Odin's aunt, i.e., Odin's mother's sister (his father was standard orange though he carried the recessive gene). Nowadays, Kashmir is content to be alone, however, still interacts with her trainers. When she was younger, she helped raise many of the tiger cubs at the park as she had a very even temperament.

Kuma

Male Bengal tiger - Born March 25, 1996 - One of four siblings, littermate to Shiva - Kuma is known as the most territorial of the park's cats and the most difficult tiger to introduce to new trainers. However, once he gets to know someone, he works well with them. He is the original underwater diving tiger and mentor to Odin. His underwater diving ability was a trained behavior, learning gradually to dive deeper and stay under longer by use of food reinforcements. He was in the original Tiger Splash Attack show introduced in 1998 and has since retired.

Shiva

Female Bengal tiger - Born March 25, 1996 - older sister to Devon and Darshan by one year, and littermate to Kuma. About six years ago, Shiva was treated for a herniated disc and it was thought that she would never walk again. However, due to training and access to a large pool, she underwent intense water therapy, later regaining her strength and ability to walk. Today, she walks with a slight limp but it is not detectable. She continues to be monitored by veterinary and animal staff.

Devon

Male Bengal tiger - Born May 30, 1997 - One of four siblings - littermate/ brother to Darshon - Devon has since retired from daily public training sessions, but guests can still see him lounging in the yard. Despite a laidback demeanor, Devon is known as the most possessive of the cats, especially over various objects (such as logs and toys).

Darshon

Male Bengal tiger - Born May 30, 1997 - One of four siblings, littermate to Devon - Also retired from daily public training sessions; he's considered the most timid of the park's cats and is generally content doing his own thing.

Fedor

Male Amur tiger - Born August 7, 2004 - One of three Amur tiger siblings, littermate to Kisa and Nikita - Regular participant in the tiger show, Fedor also has prowess underwater. As a cub he learned how to dive by watching Odin except he is not as graceful, often flailing in the water. According to his trainers, Fedor likes to "cheat" - he'll snag the meat with his paw instead of diving underwater, often just using his paw to grab at the meat. Even though he is an adult, he can be quite playful at times; playing and running with his siblings.

Nikita

Female Amur tiger - Born August 7, 2004 - One of three Amur tiger siblings - littermate to Fedor and Kisa - Nikita is is known for her ability to leap over the water up to 10 feet in the air to the delight of audiences. Known as a little troublemaker, she gets into spats with her siblings, often starting the scuffle.

Kisa

Female Amur tiger - Born August 7, 2004 - One of three Amur tiger siblings - littermate to Fedor and Nikita - Considered the most mischievous of the park's cats, she'll often try to get away with things that she shouldn't. In the tiger compound, she'll try to sneak past the trainers and go into areas she shouldn't be in - but obviously the trainers can see her. She also likes to run down the compound to visit the other cats, even though they don't like her visiting them.

Akasha

Female Bengal tiger - Born August 13, 2008 - Although still a cub and learning her boundaries, Akasha is very intuitive and picks up on things quickly, and is very curious. She can be affectionate, and likes to rub up against her trainers. Along with Nalin, she has started to participate in the tiger show and likes to swim in the pool.

Nalin

Male white Bengal tiger - Born September 6, 2008 - Nalin bears the characteristic white fur, pink nose and blue eyes of a white tiger and is unrelated to Odin and Kashmir. Though still a cub, he has huge feet, big toes - with markings that are lighter in color than Odin's. He has already started putting his head underwater in the shallow end to get at a piece of meat, but hasn't started diving in. He is stubborn and hard-headed, likes to try things his way first.