Since being rescued from Boksburg, the two tigers have started settling in at their new home and the game plan is weight loss!
Free State, South Africa (29 February 2024) – Two tigers were rescued from a private residence in Boksburg earlier this month by the NSPCA. They have since been moved to the Isindile Big Cat and Predator Sanctuary in Fouriesburg, Free State.
The sanctuary is NSPCA accredited, and will be home to the pair for the rest of their lives. Speaking to Ansa Gerber, the founding Director, she shared that the pair are currently in a small holding enclosure so they can adjust to a natural environment and after a few months, and with the sign-off of NSPCA veterinarian Dr Peter Caldwell, they will move into their perminant space.
“We relocated them to our sanctuary on 20 February. They were released into a smaller holding enclosure where they will learn to adjust to life in a natural environment and where it is easier for us to observe them. In 3-4 months from now, depending on the veterinarian Dr Peter Caldwell’s recommendation, they will then be moved to a one hectare enclosure where they will then stay permanently. All our enclosures are designed to cater for the needs of our animals and to allow them unending views of the valley and mountains in the distance, creating the illusion of even more space.”
Both tigers are overweight so they are currently on a diet to help them get back to the powerful predators they should be. The diet plan will be about a year long, to help them gradually lose the weight.
“As they are extremely overweight they are on a tailored diet to help them lose weight very gradually over a period of a year or more. The special diet as well as space to play, explore and exercise will also assist in slimming them down. They have settled down well and enjoy exploring especially after sunset.”
Not only were these two rescued, the sanctuary also helpedwith the rescue of a young Bengal tiger from Pakistan.
“This young tiger was rescued from the exotic pet trade in Pakistan and in dire condition with multiple bone fractures when he was found by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) at a local veterinarian office. Under the care of IWMB and Second Chance Wildlife (SCW) in Pakistan after consultation with South African specialist veterinarian, Dr Peter Caldwell, he was nursed back to health.
In a joint operation with The Aspinall Foundation, IWMB and SCW this young tiger were flown to South Africa and released at our sanctuary on 14 February 2024. He is a lively young tiger enjoying his new life in the Eastern Free State.”
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