Animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is tackling the relocation of four tigers that have been living in an abandoned train carriage on a farm in Argentina. The tigers will be moved to a new home at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa.
FOUR PAWS pointed out that the private ownership of wild animals is illegal in Argentina and the farmer, who was the caretaker for the tigers did not inform the authorities. The now 18-year-old male and 15-year-old female tiger were abandoned in 2007 by a travelling circus. The farmer was asked to look after them temporarily, and the circus never returned. The two tigers eventually gave birth to two tiger cubs.
The leader of the rescue mission, FOUR PAWS veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil, said that the train carriage was ‘Filthy with excrement and leftover meat and bones’ and that ‘All those years in such a small space have affected [the tigers] mental and physical wellbeing. We have a window of opportunity now to rescue them — and we will.’
The tigers lived in a 75m² train for 15 years. During an inspection visit last year, representatives of the wildlife authority in Argentina witnessed the cruel living conditions of the big cats and immediately began looking for relocation solutions. The relocation process will start in the coming weeks.
Globally, there are only an estimated 3900 tigers left in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund. A lack of regulations had resulted in the booming commercial trade of big cats which were used as entertainment, pets or to be put in zoos. Tigers are also desired for their fur, teeth and bones.
CEO of Four Paws Josef Pfabigan, said: ‘By rescuing these four tigers in Argentina, we provide a better life for them individually and create awareness for all animals globally to be treated with respect, empathy and understanding’.
Picture: Getaway gallery
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