Tigers Snow and Sky
Two young tigers named Snow and Sky have found a new lease on life at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa.
These wonderful big cats were rescued from Slovakia by FOUR PAWS.
The situation took a pivotal turn when three tiger cubs were discovered at the facility.
The rescue operation was a complex and challenging endeavour, involving meticulous planning and coordination.
After an arduous journey, Snow and Sky were transported to and released at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary.
Since their arrival, Snow and Sky are adapting slowly to their new surroundings.
Snow and Sky’s transformation from a life of hardship to one of freedom and care.
Rescued tigers Snow and Sky find a new home
In a heartwarming tale of rescue and rehabilitation, two young tigers named Snow and Sky have found a new lease on life at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. These wonderful big cats were rescued from Slovakia by FOUR PAWS and have since been thriving in their new environment since August 2024.
Discovering tiger cubs in need of rescue
In Slovakia, a private facility was home to several big cats, including lions, leopards, and tigers. This facility, although legal under the “Grandfather” clause introduced by Slovakian legislation, was far from ideal for these big cats. The legislation prohibits the breeding, importation, and trade of big cats by private owners since 2022.
In April 2024, an animal welfare team from FOUR PAWS visited the facility. They examined six adult big cats and discovered that some were suffering from chronic health conditions. Despite the challenges, the team tended to the animals on-site with the hope that no further breeding would take place.
However, the situation took a pivotal turn when three tiger cubs were discovered at the facility. The tiger cubs’ journey to safety began when FOUR PAWS identified their dire situation. They were deprived of the adequate space and care they desperately needed. These cubs were bred and kept illegally, leading to their confiscation by the Slovakian CITES authorities. “The cubs were moved to a local Slovakian zoo for care until documentation could be prepared for the cubs to be re-located to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary”, said FOUR PAWS project manager, Ariane Aquilina.
Tragically, one of the cubs, a male white tiger, died in June 2024. Despite this tragic loss, the mission to re-locate the remaining cubs to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary continued.
The rescue mission
The rescue operation was a complex and challenging endeavour, involving meticulous planning and coordination to ensure the tigers’ safe transport from Slovakia to their new forever home in LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, South Africa. This included the aid of a wildlife veterinarian to carefully administer anaesthetics so that blood samples could be taken to briefly assess the health status of the cubs before they were placed into their transport crates. The cubs then travelled to Vienna International Airport by road before travelling to Johannesburg.
After landing, the cubs were evaluated by a state vet at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. Snow and Sky received a quick visual assessment before the cubs were transported to LIONSROCK. The cubs were checked to ensure that they were alert, responsive and properly hydrated during their journey as explained by LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary’s veterinarian, Christine Steyrer.
Arrival at LIONSROCK
After an arduous journey, Snow and Sky were transported to and released at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary which offers them the freedom and care they deserve. The nervous young tigers exited their transport crates with ease and entered an indoor facility that provides them with shelter, warmth and solace.
LIONSROCK, located near Bethlehem in the Free State province, South Africa, is a haven for big cats rescued from around the world. The sanctuary provides natural species-appropriate enclosures where big cats like Snow and Sky can live out their lives in peace and safety.
A new beginning
Since their arrival, Snow and Sky are adapting slowly to their new surroundings, which is in high contrast to the conditions and environment they lived in so far. The young tigers need to gain confidence and trust and are therefore first housed in the smaller adaption areas until they are ready to enter their larger enclosure. The expansive species-appropriate enclosures at LIONSROCK will allow them to roam, explore, play, and exhibit natural behaviours that were previously impossible. The sanctuary’s dedicated team of animal caretakers and an on-site veterinarian ensures that the tigers will receive the best possible care, including a nutritiously supplemented diet, medical attention, and enrichment activities to stimulate their physicality and senses.
A bright future
Snow and Sky’s transformation from a life of hardship to one of freedom and care is a testament to the impact of dedicated animal welfare efforts by FOUR PAWS. Their story serves as an inspirational reminder of the importance of compassion and action in the face of animals in suffering. FOUR PAWS has been instrumental in advocating for the rights of such animals since its inception in 1986.
The story of Snow and Sky highlights the critical role that sanctuaries like LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary play in animal welfare. These facilities not only provide a safe haven for rescued animals but also raises awareness about the plight of big cats in captivity.
