2 circus tigers Sopfti and Toph – destined for a cruel fate in Russia – have been rescued and will find their forever homes at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown in February.
The abused tigers, who were being kept in appalling conditions in tiny cages, were found on the Polish/Belarussian border, destined for a ‘zoo’ in Dagestan, Russia.
It is suspected that the unfortunate tigers were to have their body parts harvested for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Announcing the rescue this week, the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary has written:
“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. After a gruelling 4-hour journey, 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.
“The tigers were discovered in tiny cages where they could hardly stand up, and in appalling conditions. All of the tigers were in a desperate state, starving, dehydrated, injured, and covered in their own excrement, and one of the tigers had sadly succumbed to the treacherous conditions and was discovered dead in her cage.
“It is unclear as to what the final destination was for these tigers. The paperwork stated a ‘zoo’ in Derbent, Dagestan, Russia. What seemed unthinkable is what zoo would want that many tigers and those that were clearly in such a terrible state?
“It was then subsequently discovered that this zoo had closed down in 2017. We are therefore left wondering what the likely fate of these animals would have been?
Article continues below this advertisement “Were they destined to become part of the illegal trafficking of animals and their body parts, destined for countries beyond Russia where such commodities can be traded for large profits?”
The story of Softi and Toph is told in the following video:
Those poor tigers, thank goodness they will now find kindness and peace. Karma to those who would torture animals.
Fantastic work guys.great news
A cage is still a cage and a zoo is still a zoo, no matter how you try to disguise it and fool people.
Modern ‘zoos’ in the UK are heavily regulated. These tigers will have a safe haven for the rest of their lives with lots of care and stimulation.
Being out in the wild is the clearly the ideal life for them but because of their life to date they would not survive.
I have worked at London Zoo and seen the care they give . Believe me animal welfare is now the top priority for animals housed by modern ‘zoos’ & parks in this country
Yes granted but too what they faced its still better.
They were in pure torture and miserable
Zoos are sad places when you see the pacing through captivity and iow zoo is small but at least they are trying too make it bit better for poor souls
It’s not 100% ideal, I agree. But not everything in life is perfect is it? These poor Tigers have been rescued from cruel confinement and ultimately, death. Giving their lives to stupid people who think Tiger body parts will provide health benefits!
They will have a safe life with food, water, warmth and security. Better the latter than not being rescued I think.
Fantastic. Well done for your persistence and patience.
Great work and I hope the rest of the tigers also found good homes where they will be looked after properly.
Can never understand how people think that Chinese medicine is any good , most of it involves cruelty to animals, and ultimately death for body parts…
Never have and never will touch this horrid stuff …
At least these 2 poor souls will be comfortable and cared for now, and well done for saving these magnificent creatures.
Well done to all involved, must of been heartbreaking to see the wonderful animals in an awful state? I can’t wait to go and welcome them to our beautiful island.