Two tigers are preparing to settle into their forever home at the Isle of Wight's Wildheart Animal Sanctuary.
In late October 2019, a horse box loaded with 10 tigers left a suspected circus HQ just outside Rome, in Italy, destined for a ‘zoo’ in Dagestan in Russia.
An issue with the paperwork made border officials at the Polish/Belarussian border suspicious, and as a result the transporter was initially intercepted and ultimately seized. On closer inspection, the tigers were discovered in small cages in appalling conditions, starving, dehydrated, and covered in their own excrement. One of the tigers had sadly succumbed to the conditions and was discovered dead in her cage.
After 6 days of confusion at the border, vets from a zoo in Poznan were finally able to intervene, and they were seized under Polish law and taken to
safety by the zoo.
Since then, four of the tigers have remained in ethical zoos in Poland and the other five were transferred by AAP (Animal Advocacy and Protection) to their rescue facility just outside Alicante, Spain, where they have been since, recovering from their ordeal, and beginning their recovery and rehabilitation.
This February half-term, Softi and Toph, two of the female tigers, will be relocating to the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, on the Isle of Wight, where their rehabilitation journey will continue.
Lawrence Bates, the sanctuary's Chief Operating Officer, said:
"This is the final and most crucial part of their journey – to provide a wonderful forever home!
"With our incredible team of animal carers and staff, we will continue to rehabilitate these beautiful creatures, and to ensure that they live out their lives in peace, learning how to be tigers again.
"The Sanctuary provides a home for many animals in need, ensuring they thrive at our sanctuary by the sea, rehabilitating and forgetting their previous trauma. They become ambassadors for change, shining a spotlight on the terrible practices and giving a voice to those that have none.
"As a charity, the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary is totally reliant on visitors to our Sanctuary at Sandown, or kind donations from our supporters. All the funds go to secure the future for all these animals that have not had the best start in life.
"We are currently raising funds to provide an outdoor shelter for Softi and Toph, so they can be cosy and warm In even the worst of the Isle of Wight weather."
Despite enduring severe abuse, Softi and Toph find strength to enjoy life🐯
— The Wildheart Trust (@WildheartTrust) February 4, 2023
We will be soon welcoming these #tigers into our home and hearts.Find out how you can help us to continue their rehabilitation journey >> https://t.co/rgW0w7RlIb
🎥 @AAP_Advocacy pic.twitter.com/HjViUB6gRH
To enter a competition to win an incredible ‘Tiger Experience’ to meet Softi and Toph up close, text TIGER to 70460 to donate £5 and be entered into our Prize Draw to win. Terms and conditions apply.
To donate, go to https://wildheartanimalsanctuary.org/project-tigers
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