The hardest thing about rescuing animals from abuse is when it is time to say goodbye. When we save an animal, they dominate our thoughts, time and energy, a bond develops as we work to take them to freedom and a new life, but we have to acknowledge, both physically and psychologically, they cannot entirely escape their past. It is with great sadness I must report the passing of Jade, one of the young tigers from a Guatemala circus, who has passed away after an aggressive, fast-growing cancer was diagnosed.  Our vet Dr Caldwell advised there was nothing to be done, and trying to treat it would cause more suffering. It was time to say goodbye.

Jade was the smallest of the group of young tigers we call the Spice Girls, but with a huge personality and quick mind which made her their leader. She was the live and soul of the group. Jade was the one who raced around and got her sisters playing, sometimes bounding up and getting them up, even when they were sleeping.  For almost seven years, despite a terrible start in life in the circus in Guatemala, this small tiger had inspired us all with her boundless energy, lust for life, intelligence, sense of mischief and enthusiasm. She leaves a huge gap at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary.

Now, through the sense of loss, we celebrate what precious years ADI supporters gave to dear Jade, and how very different her life would have been . The support for her and her family let them all know real joy.

The picture of Jade, above, was the day I first met her in the circus. It was a sweltering hot summer’s day in 2018, and the circus was refusing to comply with the Guatemalan Government’s ban on animal circuses. They were aggressive, shouting and blocking our way. Jade and her sister Luna shared a small bare cage, the size of a queen-sized bed.  In the other cages were 13 other tigers and two lions (Tarzan and Tanya). Their lawyer blocked us that day, but over the course of the next five months, we kept pressing ahead and eventually, saved every one of them.

Jade and sister Luna were 18 months old at the time, and in our ADI Temporary Rescue Unit (TRU) in Guatemala, we united them with 6-month-old siblings from another litter, Sun and Moon. The group became known as ‘the Spice Girls’, because of their rambunctious behaviors.  Our TRU in Guatemala was basic, but this was where the girls first ran and played on grass. Nobody who saw it will ever forget their first time playing in water. We had made a small pool for them – they raced in, water went everywhere, and within minutes it was full of mud, half the water splashed out and the whole area soaked. Everyone was laughing, enjoying their antics.

However, as always, the inbreeding, malnutrition and confinement of the circus would be harder to leave behind than the cages we had emptied. The members of the tiger family have all proved to be in the worst health of any animals we have rescued – 4 have already passed away due to neurological malfunctions (seizures) related to lifelong malnutrition and inbreeding. Jade was undersized and suffered spondylosis – the cause was similar to the ones who suffered seizures – malformed bones meant the nerves between her brain and spine were unable to function properly, in Jade, causing a goose-stepping walk.

The difference can be seen with Sun, Moon, Max, and Stripes – all rescued from the same circus but at just 6 months old, so they benefited from the enhanced ADI feeding regime, with extra vitamin and mineral supplements. They are all larger, strong, and not showing any neurological problems.

Jade had also lost her tail in the circus, with just a small stump left. This is a common injury in circuses when animals are chased through drop doors between cages and doors are dropped on their tails. Similarly, Tanya (from the same circus) has no fluffy tip to her tail. An ADI investigator filmed this happening in a British circus (before the ban).

In our grief at the loss of a family member, it is hard not to feel rage that circuses not only confine these animals in barren cages and take all the joy from their lives, but also break their bodies, causing lifelong damage. But they never broke Jade’s spirit.

Despite being the smallest of the Spice Girls, Jade was clearly the boss, and the one who energized the group to go out and play – she always raced to investigate everything first. It may have been sheer force of character, but it may also have been because she was so smart. Something she demonstrated to us with the puzzle game.

The ADIWS team built a play center for the residents, which was moved from habitat to habitat for different residents to play with and try to solve the puzzle (a ball inside a tunnel), while also enjoying the scent of other residents who had previously enjoyed the structure. The puzzle challenge was to get a small green ball around a corner and out of a small gap. While many residents at the ADIWS had pawed at it and tried to tug it out, Jade worked out the puzzle; she rolled in along the tunnel, around the corner, using her nose and paws, until the ball popped out.

Watch the video of the day she cracked the ADIWS play center puzzle.

When the family arrived at ADIWS, it was Jade who led them out. In part due to the spondylitis caused by the circus, and perhaps in part due to her character, she didn’t so much run, but rather bounced everywhere. She always appeared to be endlessly bouncing around the entire perimeter at high speed. It was magical when she first entered her big habitat at ADIWS when they arrived in 2020, just running and running and leaping on and off the big platform den, with such joy.

Jade always led the Spice Girls into the charge out of the houses and get the fun going. Classic Jade was also when seen she would be snoozing in the pool and then wake up, deciding it was time for everyone to get up, and race from one to another of the girls to rustle them up to play.

Jade was an inspiration to all, a bright star who brought joy and a smile to us all for seven wonderful years. A huge loss to her family and the whole Sanctuary. For seven years this small bundle of energy was a huge character at ADIWS.

Jade, you were loved and will be missed.

While we mourn Jade, just think of how very different her story would have been if ADI had not been on the ground for those long hot months in Guatemala, battling to empty the cages? Never forget how your support really does transform the lives of animals.

You may like to consider a donation in memory of Jade, to help care for her sisters, and to ensure that others like her get their chance to experience the life Jade enjoyed.
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