Tigers Radja and Khan form part of the group of six tigers eventually known as the Starlight Tigers, born in different German circus companies and sold to the Starlight Circus, a small travelling family circus.  

Radja and Khan formed one group, being kept in a transport wagon. Four brothers, Douglas, Shir-Khan, Prinz and Pascha were kept in a separate transport wagon. The tiger groups lived under “normal” circus conditions with each of the groups being kept in one wagon with approximately 20m² and 25m² in size. When travelling to the next venue they were kept in the wagon only. It has been estimated that the circus probably visited 30 to 40 different venues per year.

During performance stops, one outdoor enclosure of about 100 m² with a low platform was provided for the six tigers. As the groups were incompatible, they could not access the enclosure at the same time.  The six tigers did not perform in the ring and were not trained.

The German minimum keeping standards required permanent access to the outdoor enclosure and more space which could not be provided for by the circus.  The responsible Veterinary Authority decided to search for alternative places and eventually, together with FOUR PAWS, convinced the owner to hand over the six animals, including Radja and Khan, to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in November 2013.

This was the first time that FOUR PAWS took over big cats directly from a circus.

2023 Update: Sadly, Tiger Prinz passed away in September 2023. 

2024 Update: Sadly, Tiger Khan passed away in January 2024.