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The Museum of Hoaxes is dedicated to promoting knowledge about hoaxes. (Click here for opening hours, etc.) On our blog we post about dubious- sounding claims, and whatever else strikes our fancy. The site is also home to the Hoax Photo Database, the Hoax Forum, and the Hoaxipedia.

Web Hoax Museum

RUDE ROVER
The Christmas dog with no class! He sings and toots Jingle Bells.
INFLATABLE TREE
Who needs the hassle of a real Christmas tree?
FARTING SANTA
Go ahead and pull his finger!

Diving Tiger
Status: Real
I came across this cool picture of a tiger diving into water. My first thought was that it had to be fake, but from what I can gather (via machine translation) from the comments below the image, the photographer, Sergey Bidun, says that it's real. And he links to other, less spectacular, pictures from the same series. One question that people seem to be asking is why the tiger's claws aren't out. My guess is that it's been declawed.

There's an exhibit like this in Las Vegas where you can see the tigers used in the Siegfried and Roy show. At least, there was the last time I was in Vegas. (I don't know if Siegfried is still doing that show alone, or was it cancelled after Roy's accident?) But I don't think this picture was taken at that exhibit.

Update: Sergey Bidun posts that he took this picture at Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo.

Posted By: Alex | Date: Fri Apr 21, 2006 | Permalink | Total Comments: 31
Category: Animals, Photos/Videos
Comments
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Page 2 of 2 pages  <  1 2
Hi, I just found so my picture is postet in this website.
I see people asking qustions if this real? yes this is real tiger.!
I shoot this tiger in Valejo Six Flag morine World... So if some want to see by own eyes go in to this place...
So if you have any qustion Send me in my Email:
Posted by Sergey Bidun  in  Sacramento  on  Mon Apr 24, 2006  at  12:14 PM
Of course big cats can swim. Some house cats are actually fond of water, as well. Friends of mine when I was a kid had a cat that would swim in the pool. In the natural feline habitat, water is part of their lives. They just dont like baths.
Posted by chyca  on  Mon Apr 24, 2006  at  05:13 PM
It has no doubt been cropped, balanced, sharpened, and digitally brushed. But you do (just occasionally) get good pictures like this if you're an ardent or professional photographer.

So no more fake that the cover of any lads' mag, Cosmo, Elle, etc. then.
Posted by David B.  on  Tue Apr 25, 2006  at  06:58 AM
I have also seen what I assume to be the same tiger at Marine World in Vallejo, California, so I can attest to the authenticity of the tiger, the small-but-deep swimming pool, and that the tiger jumps into it. I can't say whether that particular photo is real or not, but I have no reason to doubt it.
Posted by Taed  on  Sun Jun 04, 2006  at  12:06 PM
I also recall the trainer pointing out specifically how the tiger folds back their ears to keep water out, which is exactly what the cat in that picture is doing.
Posted by Taed  on  Sun Jun 04, 2006  at  12:08 PM
In regards to the comments regarding the tiger's face...

This is a "white tiger" that seems to display typical facial deformities that result from inbreeding.
Posted by Kerry  in  AZ, US  on  Wed Jun 21, 2006  at  01:36 AM
IT IS A HOAX/PAINTING.
Reasons:

1 There are no bubbles coming out of his coat.
2 Doesn't it just look "too glossy" to you?
3 Tigers love water. Why is he snarling?
4 I thought tigers had ears...
5 There are no teeth on his bottom lip, other than his fangs.
6 Where is his tail?
And last but not least...
7 Who in there right mind would swim with a tiger to get his picture!?
Posted by meerkat  in  somewhere...  on  Sun Jun 25, 2006  at  06:02 PM
I completely attest that it is real, and I saw it at Marine World in Vallejo, CA, just as the person who took the picture said they did.

There is a "wall" of glass/plastic/something along the side of the pool of water, so people sitting in the front row see exactly that view. You do not have to be in the water to take the picture.

Here is how the show is described on their web site (http://www.sixflags.com/parks/marineworld/ShowsAndEvents/index.html):
Tiger Island: Splash Attack!
Tiger Island
The Bengal and Siberian tiger will reign supreme at Six Flags Marine World's Tiger Island Splash Attack. Park guests will enjoy a fascinating encounter with the majestic Bengal tiger and our three spectacular Siberian tiger cubs. During designated times of the day, you'll have a chance to see our animal care staff conduct "hands-on" training sessions with these beautiful felines in showcasing the animal’s natural behaviors: jumping, wrestling, pouncing and playing.
Posted by Taed  on  Sun Jun 25, 2006  at  08:04 PM
see the mad cat in action here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=458282&in_page_id=1811

then try to convince me that its, what, fake too?
Posted by markoos  in  north east UK  on  Tue Jun 05, 2007  at  01:48 PM
IT'S REAL!!! I used to work at Six Flags Marine World (now named Six Flags Discovery Kingdom), but not with the tigers. In answer to the post from Jun 25:
1 Yes there are. Click on the photo to see a larger image and you can see the bubbles.
2 No.
3 He's "snarling" because he's diving for a piece of meat. You think he dives to the bottom of the pool for kicks?
4 Tigers pin back their ears while diving to help keep the water out.
5 There are, you just can't see them in that pic.
6 His tail is above the water.
And last but not least...
7 The picture taker wasn't in the water. The pool has a plexiglass front so the public can view the tigers while swimming/diving.

You can e-mail me if you would like other photos sent to you.
Posted by Sean  in  Utah  on  Mon Jun 25, 2007  at  11:19 PM
well in research ive learned tigers do enjoy water! but the figures and looks on this tiger makes it hard to critisize if its real or fake. the chances in my book are 50/50 surprised
Posted by jordann  in  texas  on  Mon Sep 10, 2007  at  04:49 PM
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