The grass is greener in South Africa for released ‘train tigers’
Four tigers, three countries and around 5,000 miles traveled as FOUR PAWS first South American rescue is successfully completed.
London, 13 March 2022 – Former ‘train tigers’ that spent over 15 years stuck in a train carriage in San Luis province in Argentina, arrived at their new home at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa on 12 March. FOUR PAWS captured the moment their paws touched grass for the first time in their lives.
Global animal welfare organisation, FOUR PAWS rescued the tigers from their carriage cage after weeks of tireless efforts and close cooperation with the Argentinian and South African authorities.
Transferring the tigers from the train carriage, into transport crates and onto a truck headed for the airport was a logistical challenge that the experienced team were able to master.
The tigers were recently given Argentinian names, to honour their beginnings, and after a journey of over 70 hours, Sandro, Mafalda, Messi and Gustavo, arrived safe and well at their new forever home.
Mafalda, the matriarch, took a little time before she left her transport crate, whilst, patriarch Sandro, and their two male cubs Messi and Gustavo started to explore the new surroundings almost immediately.
FOUR PAWS cares for rescued big cats in a species-appropriate environment at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, yet many other big cats around the world face a tragic fate.
LIONSROCK: A home for over 100 rescued big cats in South Africa
LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, one of eleven wild animal sanctuaries established by FOUR PAWS, near Bethlehem, South Africa is home to over 100 animals, most of which are big cats rescued by FOUR PAWS from war-ravaged zoos, circuses, private ownership, and the canned hunting industry. The sanctuary provides a species-appropriate, lifelong home for the mistreated big cats who cannot be released back into the wild.
The habitat offers highest standards including large areas for family groups, facilitation of natural behaviour through enrichment and highest standards of medical care as well as highest security standards of enclosures. In LIONSROCK hunting, trading or breeding of big cats is strictly prohibited.
Moreover, interactions between wild animals and visitors are prohibited as well.
Hannah Baker
Head of Communications UK020 7922 7954
07966 032 235
7 - 14 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4YR
FOUR PAWS UK