Celebrating International Tiger Day!

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International Tiger Day is July 29. As it approaches, I have been thinking about the wonderful, brave ex-circus tigers that now roam acres of wild, natural space at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) in South Africa.

Sasha, Max, Stripes, Lupe, Sun, Moon, and Luna were all rescued in 2018 during Operation Liberty in Guatemala. They were born in the barren cages on the back of trucks they had lived in all their lives, denied natural space to roam, and subjected to daily violence. But Guatemala’s ban on animals in circuses gave them a second chance – and ADI was there to rescue these beautiful tigers and offer them a new life of freedom at ADIWS. Freedom to soak in pools, explore grasslands, chase birds and wildlife, or simply relax – whenever they please. Please join me in celebrating these majestic animals!

Sasha
Before she was rescued, Sasha suffered daily in a circus. Confined to a tiny, barren cage, her existence was an endless cycle of deprivation and fear. Her life would have been very different if ADI hadn’t intervened.

Despite her terrible start in life, Sasha is now thriving at the Sanctuary. She has settled into her new Alexis Habitat, as her former Siddhi Habitat was converted into a quarantine unit for Coralie and Goliath, and will be used for future rescued big cats. Sasha has been alone since she lost her beloved Kumal (who passed away from lifelong health problems) and was rescued from the circus alongside her. She is now closer to tigers Luna, Sun, and Moon, with part of her habitat fence adjoining theirs.

Sasha loves relaxing in the long grass. She also enjoys keeping the native birds on their toes, often hiding in the grass before suddenly accelerating at full speed towards them, only to watch as the birds fly away, out of reach. Still, Sasha has fun trying, and she is free to chase as many birds as she pleases.

Max and Stripes
Max and Stripes were born in the circus and have been together throughout their lives. As tiny cubs, they were passed around as photo props by a Guatemalan circus owner seeking to cash in on people who wanted to hold them.

They are pictured here with the circus owner shortly before ADI was able to move in. Tragically, the cub on the left died before we could rescue them, but Max (in the middle) and Stripes (right) are now living the life they were meant to live, at ADIWS. Although both have faced health issues this year (Max has had a seizure and Stripes chewed some material and made himself ill), they help one another heal and are as close as ever.

Lupe
When we first saw Lupe, she was in a metal box in a circus cage in Guatemala, nursing her tiny cubs, Max and Stripes. Even as she nursed them, circus workers would drag the cubs out for people to hold for photos.

At ADIWS, Lupe finally lives in peace. However, her former circus life has taken a toll on her. Lupe has a cataract from early-age malnutrition, severe allergies, and she suffers from seizures due to inbreeding. She requires daily medication and regular monitoring by the ADIWS team and our Sanctuary veterinarian, Dr. Peter Caldwell.

Lupe lives next door to sons Max and Stripes but sadly cannot be with them, because the reintroduction process is long, and it would be a problem if she had a seizure while she was with them. However, Lupe sees the boys every day and they can make contact through the fence. She is enjoying the best life possible, despite what the circus stole from her.

Sun, Moon, and Luna
Luna and sisters Sun and Moon are the same close family, although from different litters, and share the same habitat at ADIWS. As babies, before ADI rescued them from a circus, they were used for photos with the public – and their future was very bleak. They could only watch the world go by from their tiny cages. No space to play or run. No enrichment to keep them entertained. Just a life of boredom and misery.

Now, the sisters are free to do whatever they please in their tiger territory, which features two pools and a lake, raised platforms with dens, and night-houses to keep them warm during the cool winter nights. They often chase small wildlife, destroy stacks of hay bales, soak or splash in their pools, and lounge on their viewing platforms watching over the sanctuary. Moon, once shy and cautious, is now confident and playful; Luna is as spunky as ever and enjoys her naps; and adventurous Sun loves the pools.

Earlier this year, the girls lost their beloved sister Jade – who was rescued alongside them – to cancer. Jade was one of the friendliest and most playful of the tigers, and the four of them together were fondly nicknamed ‘The Spice Girls’ due to their rambunctious behaviors. Sun, Moon, and Luna grieved the loss of their dynamic sister deeply, but with extra TLC, they are back to their mischievous selves.

Overall, the tigers have all proved to be in the worst health of any animals we have rescued; a result of lifelong malnutrition and inbreeding. Jade was undersized, her growth stunted by malnutrition, and suffered spondylosis – the nerves between her brain and spine were constricted, causing walking difficulties. She had also lost her tail in the circus – although these challenges never broke her spirit. At just nine years old, Jade developed a very large, fast-growing stomach cancer and left us in February. In our grief over losing her much too soon, 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.

We are grateful for the freedom our beloved rescued tiger residents now enjoy. The joy and playful spirits they now show were never seen when they lived in constant fear in tiny, bare circus cages in Guatemala. Sadly, many tigers still face a life of misery in captivity, suffering in circuses and roadside zoos. And in the wild, this iconic species remains at risk, facing habitat destruction, climate change, and poaching. As long as there is a trade in the body parts of wild animals, or the sale of living animals, all big cats are in danger. 

ADI relies on the support of donors like you to move forward with our lifesaving work to help these noble animals. Here’s how you can make an impact:

Taking any of these actions will help ensure that tigers – the largest of the world’s big cats – have the best chance at a life of freedom and protection.

And don’t forget to celebrate International Tiger Day on July 29! We know that Sasha, Max, Stripes, Lupe, Sun, Moon, and Luna will be enjoying the day at ADIWS, doing whatever they please. And enjoying a few extra treats!

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