Quadruple amputee meets white tiger

Quadruple amputee meets white tiger

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DAHLONEGA, Ga. -

Georgia's own Kyle Maynard, a quadruple amputee, has been surprising us for years with his history-making feats. But he was the one who was surprised when he received his Christmas gift in September.

The Chestatee Wildlife Preserve is known for being awe-inspiring, and it's the only exotic animal rescue and wildlife preserve in north Georgia.

"We got lions, tigers, bears, camels, great apes, as well as the small primates. We got it all here," said C.W. Wathen of the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve.

Recently, Maynard was a special visitor to the scenic preserve, but he wasn't allowed to see the beauty right away because he was blindfolded. Maynard has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, fights as a mixed martial artist and is a motivational speaker. One of his dreams was to interact with tigers, and it was his girlfriend Lisa who made that dream come true.

When the blindfold came off Maynard, he was ecstatic.

"I've never seen one up close like that. And to take off a blindfold and see him there was, I mean, it was just one of the most incredible moments of my life," said Maynard.

Not only did Maynard get to meet Majestic, a 10-year-old white tiger, he got to be up close and personal with four Siberian white tiger cubs born on the preserve four  weeks ago.

The experience left Maynard speechless -- almost.

"This is absolutely incredible," said Maynard. He called the weekend visit to the preserve spectacular.

Maynard says playing with the tiger cubs was a feeling comparable to climbing the highest mountain in Africa. What worries him now is how he's going to top the incredible gift from his girlfriend.

Information:
Chestatee Wildlife Preserve
469 Old Dahlonega Highway
Dahlonega, Ga. 30533
678-537-6765

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