Fierce tigers look as tame as pussycats as they swim with people in this striking image.
The startling photograph is one of many taken by National Geographic photographer Steve Winter in a two-year probe into captive tigers.
Fans of Netflix ’s hit show Tiger King will recognise Bhagavan “Doc” Antle in the water with the big cats and his son Kody.
These shots were taken at Doc’s Myrtle Beach Safari zoo in South Carolina, US, where visitors can pet and play with baby tigers.
One picture shows Kody in leopard-print shorts with the paw of a liger – a huge tiger-lion hybrid – on his shoulder.
This week Doc was indicted on animal cruelty and wildlife trafficking charges, which he “categorically” denies.
Doc captured the nation’s attention in the Netflix true crime documentary mini series, which starred zoo operator Joe Exotic.
Former Oklahoma animal park owner Exotic was convicted last year of hiring a hitman to kill his rival, animal rights activist Carole Baskin, and is serving 22 years in jail.
There are more than 5,000 captive tigers in America – more than remain in the wild in Asia – and there are no laws which regulate their ownership.
In some states it is harder to buy a kitten than a big cat.
Visitors to tiger zoos can pay for VIP private encounters with cute cubs which include
petting sessions and souvenir photos.
Yet the animals are often dumped when they get too big.
Animal welfare activists are hoping to bring an end to captive breeding through the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which would ban private ownership and public contact with the cubs.
It would also help prevent captive and wild populations of tigers, lions from being illegally slaughtered.
Steve’s photographs go on show at London’s Natural History Museum from Friday.
There are now fewer than 3,200 tigers left in the wild, mostly in India.
Photojournalist Steve said: “My aim with this story was to try to document the beauty of tigers, the serious threats they face and the heroic efforts to protect them.”
