Located on the "Big Island" of Hawaii, this 12 acre zoo is the only tropical rainforest zoo in the United States. It is home to more than 80 animal species including the endangered Nene (Hawaii State Bird) and Namaste', a white Bengal Tiger. Namaste` is a male Bengal (Indian) tiger. His ancestors were found in the forests of Rewa in central India. All of the 250 or so captive white tigers are descended from Mohan, a wild white Bengal tiger caught by the Maharaja of Rewa in 1951. Namaste's striking white coat and crossed blue eyes are due to the expression of recessive genes. He was hand-raised in Las Vegas and donated to the zoo by a magician, Dirk Arthur, who was impressed with our world-class one-acre tiger enclosure. "Namaste" is an Sanskrit word that is loosely translated as "Aloha". Namaste was born on September 30, 1998 and arrived in Hilo April 16, 1999. He was 7 months old and weighed 80 pounds. He was held in his night house in quarantine until August 14, 1999. The life span of tigers in captivity is 15 to 20 years. Sexual maturity is reached at age 3 to 4 years. Namaste's weight now is over 500 pounds. His diet consists of 3 whole chickens, 10 lb. meat, ground bone and vitamins per day. Aloha to everyone and thanks for having a peek!