how do you deal with the wild life (tigers and watnot)

I don't know if you've figured this out already, but in case you haven't, guards, soldiers, heroes, walls (res and military), and towers can all help regarding wildlife. It's been years since I played last so I don't recall details well.

Edit: If you no longer require this information, then hopefully it can help others.

Guard Towers work well.

PS
If you want wild life in your main city, if the Palace has a menagerie, destroy it, wait a bit and hit the undo button. The Palace comes back with the animals.
However another set of animals has already been let loose on the town.