Two years ago, FOUR PAWS embarked on its first rescue mission in South America to rescue four Bengal tigers that had endured a life of unimaginable suffering.
According to FOUR PAWS Public Relations Officer, Deidré Daniels, known as the #TrainTigers, they had spent their entire lives confined to a cramped train carriage in Argentina deprived of the space, freedom and care, they deserved.
“In the past two years Mafalda, Gustavo, Sandro and Messi have undergone extensive rehabilitation at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary. Thanks to all the efforts of the full-time onsite vet,” said Daniels.
According to Dr Christine Steyrer, who takes care of the tigers, the tigers are doing well, despite their minor chronic illnesses.
“When they arrived, we didn’t know anything about them. We were mostly worried for Sandro, since he is also the oldest and does not see well. In the beginning he was quite aggressive because he was scared but over time, he improved a lot. Today he enjoys his enclosure and is probably the happiest that he’s ever been,” said Dr Steyrer.
“Sandro (born in 2004) and Mafalda (born in 2007) spent 15 years alongside their 10-year-old sons, Messi and Gustavo, who were born in the same carriage in 2011. Abandoned by a circus and cared for by the landowner, they lived their lives within the confines of this carriage until their rescue and subsequent transfer to LIONSROCK in March 2022,” added Dr Steyrer.
“They were released exactly two years ago here at LIONSROCK. I was fortunate to see them released into their new enclosure back then. Today we celebrate their transformation from living in that train carriage to having a more species appropriate living space at LIONSROCK. Tigers like all big cats need larger spaces for movement and interactions with other tigers,” said FOUR PAWS veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil.
“There are hundreds of animals like lions and tigers in captivity in Argentina and there is no species-appropriate space for them where they can be accommodated permanently. This is a huge animal welfare problem in the country and other parts of the world. This is just one example of this cruelty because the Train Tigers lived in a train carriage for 15 years. Today they are free to be wild!” said Dr Marina Ivanova, International Mission Coordinator – Reveal Rescue Response.
FOUR PAWS cares for rescued big cats in a species-appropriate environment at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary from all over the world, yet many other big cats around the world face a tragic fate.
Compiled by Justine Fortuin
