A special thanks to the members of the public who reported this, The Hawks, the PMB Stock Theft Unit, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, PMB SPCA, Umgeni SPCA, and the FreeMe Wildlife team. This is how many it takes to assist in a case like this, a Tiger cub, kept in a make shift wire enclosure, in a backyard in Pietermaritzburg.
The cub was confiscated, brought through to FreeMe Wildlife to be held temporarily as evidence, and a case has been opened by the Pietermaritzburg Stock Theft Unit.
The support for this little Tiger cub has been overwhelming and very touching. There has been a lot of concern about the future of this cub, so we hope that sharing its present state will help set minds at ease. The cub is now under the direct protection of the highest conservation body in this country, the DFFE (Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment), and is being kept at the highest security facility under their control, the Pretoria Zoological Gardens.
While this cub remains evidence in an ongoing court case, it must remain in the custody of the DFFE and cannot, for its own safety, be released to a private sanctuary. The future of the cub will only be decided once the outcome of the court case is final.
FreeMe Wildlife would not support the rescue of an animal from the illegal wildlife trade only to see it become part of it again. We are working closely with, and support, the wildlife authorities of this province, and this country. We would like to remind the public it is the same authorities that rescued this cub in the first place.
Top image: Understandably, a grumpy kitty. This Tiger cub, a 4-5 month old male, was confiscated recently after it was found being kept in a make shift wire enclosure in a backyard in Pietermaritzburg.
Pictured below: Great teamwork in bringing this cub to FreeMe Wildlife late at night! Left to right: Elishia and Irene (FreeMe Wildlife), Nontu and her accomplice (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife), and Kevin (uMngeni SPCA).
