Quadruple amputee meets white tiger - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

Quadruple amputee meets white tiger

Posted: Updated:
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

  • Good Day Archive

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:37 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:37:15 GMT
    You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person. 
    You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person.  But Paul turned up the heat when he enlisted the help of two actresses from the new movie Operation Heat to play a little prank on his unsuspecting coworkers.
  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:30:53 GMT
    Does your summer road trip include mouth-watering stops at mom-and-pop eateries?  Ours does, and it'll be even better with the help of a new Southern Living book! 
    Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings is dedicated to finding the best meals in the south-- and it features some great restaurants right here in north Georgia.  Good Day's Paul Milliken checked out two of those gems-- The Hil in Serenbe, and Weaver D's in Athens!  As usual, he didn't leave hungry.
  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:17:14 GMT
    The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area!  Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show.
    The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area!  Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show.  But first, she stopped by Good Day to cook us up one of her favorite recipes.
Powered by WorldNow

1551 Briarcliff Rd., NE
Atlanta, GA 30306

Main Number: (404) 875-5555
News Tips: (404) 898-0100

Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices