MANSFIELD — The Richland County Fair brought the roar this year with the return of Bruno Blaszak’s Royal Bengal Tiger Show.
Blaszak works with three tigers in what he describes as an educational encounter for audience members.
The show features tiger species from different parts and regions of the world as they perform various tricks and stunts under Blaszak’s direction.
The three tigers featured in the show are Zakk, Tasha, and Bella.
Zakk is a 5-year-old Bengal, Bella is a 12-year-old Siberian, and Tasha is a 17-year-old Sumatran tiger.
“It’s an honor and a pleasure to work with these beautiful animals.” Blaszak said.
All of the tiger’s training is based on positive reinforcement and the use of hand and voice commands, he said.
“It’s mostly positive reinforcement because they love to eat meat,” Blaszak said.
With less than 3,000 tigers in the wild, shows like these can offer a safe way for people to experience the magic of these magnificent animals, Blaszak said.
“Keeping these animals in captivity preserves them for future generations to learn about and enjoy,” Blaszak said.
(These photos were taken by Richland Source intern Malaki Stanfield)
