The Summer of Tiger King

2020. The year that my generation will use as a reference point for the rest of our lives. Here we are in the midst of a global pandemic, but, as they say, the show must go on. The summer of 2020 is one that has been prefaced by social distancing, quarantine, and the sensational Tiger King documentary on Netflix.

I have to be honest, I haven't watched the show about Joe Exotic, Carole Baskins, and the rest of the crew of the Oklahoma "zoo", but yet I have been called Joe Exotic more times than I can count. Why you may ask?I took the internship at a big cat sanctuary called The Wildcat Sanctuary to intern in the media and communications department. So yes, call me Mr. Exotic I suppose.

The Wildcat Sanctuary (TWS) is worthy of a Netflix documentary for a whole list of other reasons. All though there is no sensational love triangle (?) or possible tiger assisted homicide (looking at you Carole), the mission of TWS is one that I was drawn to. The purpose for TWS is to help the big cats they can, and truly live up to the name of sanctuary. I believe all creatures deserve a shot to live a life worth living. The cats that call this sanctuary in Minnesota home get the chance to live out their lives in the comfort and safety of this institution.

I am beyond excited to get behind a camera, work on a social media campaign, or whatever else I am tasked with this summer. As a part of my requirement to receive college credit I have to give weekly updates. I've decided this experience is one I want to share publicly.

May 30th I plan on heading north, setting up camp in the intern house in Sandstone, Minnesota and seeing what the summer of Tiger King brings me.

Stay tuned for more updates all you cool cats and kittens!

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Clay the Tiger King (nickname pending)