TOUCHED BY A TIGER

Tessa the tiger, One of television's most famous faces, star of advertisements for the petrol giant Esso, was a seventh generation captive bred tiger and was one of a litter of three. Yet, though her image encapsulated the power and beauty of the wild, she had been born in captivity in November 1991 - at Dartmoor Wildlife Park in Devon, England. Given the official name Moonstone, she was part of a breeding program to protect the Siberian Tiger. Tessa was the runt of the litter, making her the smallest and the weakest and at just two days old was rejected by her mother. This is when her trainer Marc Chandler took her into his home and raised her by hand.
He started to train Tessa from a young age using just love and rewards. He does not believe in using sticks or whips as many people who train these animals do.

At just 12 weeks old she starred in her first television commercial for Esso (Exxon) the petrol giant. Esso's 'Tiger in your tank' slogan had originally featured a cartoon tiger, and was already a success by the time Tessa made her first appearence for the firm in 1992, instantly touching the hearts of millions.

The commercial was named "The Heart of the Engine" she was shown as a cub, padding across a garage forecourt in an advert which won the BAFTA award for the best performing animal. Although she was only one of four tigers to appear over the years, she was the one who captured the public imagination.
She continued her work for Esso/Exxon and for those of you who come from Europe or have been to Europe you may have seen the Tigers eyes on every gas station. They are the eyes of Tessa the Tiger. Tessa has starred in other commercials, some of the more well known ones are British Telecom, Guinness Beer, and she launched Andrew Lloyd Webbers production of "Cats."
She carried on her movie career, and starred in many Hollywood productions. Because Tessa is so tame she and Marc were able to simulate attack scenes.
She has made many appearances over the years and also helped a lot of fundraising events. She also headed an educational program in England where she toured schools teaching younger children about endangered species, and how close to extinction the tiger really is.

Big Cat added: 'She needs a nice cuddle and to be taken for a walk, just like any other pet.' It meant she would never roam free, nor come to know any life but the one which her owner would provide for her.

Ironically, that domesticity might actually have extended her years rather than shortened them. Had she been born into the wild, she would have encountered the conditions that are threatening Siberian Tigers with extinction.
Most likely she would have fallen victim to hunters, possibly the ones who travel from Europe for the 'sport' of shooting their prey from helicopters.
Tiger skins, bones, can sell for thousands of dollars to the Chinese traditional medicine trade or as aphrodisiacs in Japan. Other body parts - the tiger's eyes, claws, tails and teeth - command high prices as trophies.
It would have been a miserable fate for such a serene beast.

Tessa found her home in Aruba, where Chandler and Murphy formed a partnership in “Touch a Tiger”, the public would get a chance to interact with a Big Cat, being able to pet her and get their picture taken. Tessa was always at home interacting with people.

I remember her loving being brushed, and how she was so nervous getting into the pool of water of the newly renovated habitat, she also loved the interaction with her trainer Marc. I also remember how spoiled she was, I once brought her rabbit, Marc laughed and said she only eats beef. Don't let me forget the time...she nipped me in the butt, she loved doing that when she was not getting enough attention.
Sadly this majestic cat, has past away...but will never be forgotten by all the people that she touched.

The experiences and moments I had with this cat are a driving force behind Big Cat Experiences, if you can Dream it you Can do it!
Big Cat