Cape Town, 11 July 2022 – By July 13 the four train tigers that have been located from Argentina to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in the Eastern Free State in South Africa would have witnessed the sunrise unburdened by cage bars over the plains for more than 120 days. So much different from when they had to watch the daybreak from behind bars in their train cage on a farm in Argentina for more than 15 years that it was their only home.
Since the animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS fetched the tigers in San Luis, Argentina and brought them to South Africa in March this year, they have thrived under the care of the LIONSROCK team under the leadership of the site manager, Hildegard Pirker, with the female tiger Mafalda recently successfully passing her medical examination and having had a medical procedure done.
The 94-kilogram female tiger found her feet in the African sun in an enclosure with a younger male tiger, Gustavo, where she is recovering from being spayed recently. She got a clean bill of health from resident LIONSROCK vet, Christine Steyrer, after she was X-rayed, her teeth and claws were checked, and other health checks were made.
The medical procedure and examination led to a busy day for Mafalda who was named after an Argentinian comic strip character. She was taken to the Sanctuary’s clinic where the surgery was undertaken. Pirker says Mafalda is back to doing what she likes best. When she touched the grass during their release early in March, it was the first day of the rest of a much better life for the only female of the group
“She has been given time to settle in after the medical intervention but is back to enjoying what she has come to like best, like jumping and exploring. She has a sweet nature and is very excited when feeding time comes around.”
The Argentinian Train Tigers are thriving after four months in the Eastern Free State with female tiger Mafalda and male tiger Sandro on their paws again after a clean bill of health.
Male tiger Gustavo and Mafalda are together in their own patch as they get along well together. He is using his newly found freedom to cover all the space he can and was initially very over excited when it came to feeding time. He has however, learned that there is enough food to go around, and that he does not need to compete during mealtimes. Gustavo is taking life a little bit slower now, is very attached to Mafalda and was protective of her for a few days after the medical intervention.
The oldest male, Sandro, also had to undergo a small medical intervention soon after their arrival and is now quite settled in in his own enclosure.
Says Pirker: “He responded well to treatment from inflammation and a gastro-intestinal disorder. He is still constantly being monitored and stays in his own enclosure. We are preparing him for a move into our special care unit, but we want to get the timing right so that he will only have to be moved once. “
Named after the Argentinian soccerplayer, Lionel Messi, the young male tiger Messi enjoys alone in his enclosure. Pirker says he has grown calmer and enjoys regular enrichment. He has more than enough space to enjoy himself and is doing well.“
The rescue in March of the four tigers marks the first rescue mission done by FOUR PAWS in South America.
