San Diego Exotic Animal Sanctuary Rescues Captive Tiger from Greece
Ex-circus tiger comes home for the holidays. Finds permanent refuge at Lions, Tigers & Bears.
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- San Diego's Lions, Tigers & Bears (LTB) exotic animal sanctuary announced that their efforts to rescue a tiger in Greece in desperate need of help has paid off. The male tiger will arrive at San Diego International Airport on Thursday evening, December 11, 2014, just in time for Christmas. Bobbi Brink, Founder and Director of LTB states, "This tiger has been living in deplorable conditions for years. We were his last hope and finally he will get the care he needs."
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141210/163531
The tiger, named Phevos, was captive bred and seized from an Italian touring circus group in 2002, along with six other tigers. He has been living alone in his enclosure at the Trikala Zoo, outside of Athens, Greece since March of this year when his longtime tiger companion, Athena, died due to medical neglect. Athena had a gaping wound on her paw that knowingly went untreated for six months, ultimately leading to her pre-mature death 15 months later.
LTB was approached by David Barnes, a UK citizen, who initially helped place the two tigers at the Trikala Zoo over a decade ago. With the surge of the economic crisis in Greece, the conditions of the zoo deteriorated over time making this rescue an urgent matter because Phevos is not receiving proper care. Barnes has been frequenting the tigers over the years and has seen firsthand the deteriorating conditions of the facility and the neglectful treatment of Phevos and his late companion, Athena.
It costs a minimum of $10,000 per year to provide basic essentials ie; food and medical care, to one tiger at LTB. LTB is requesting donations in honor of Phevos to help provide lifetime care at the sanctuary.
About Lions, Tigers & Bears
Lions, Tigers & Bears (LTB) is a federally and state licensed non-profit 501(c)(3) rescue facility dedicated to providing a safe haven to abused and abandoned exotic animals while inspiring an educational forum for the public to learn about the plight of the exotic animal trade and ways in which they can help mitigate its effects. LTB is a NO KILL, NO BREED and NO SELL facility that allows all animals in its care the opportunity to live out their lives with dignity in a caring and safe environment. LTB is one of the few sanctuaries in the United States with the highest level of accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and the American Sanctuary Association.
For more information or to make a donation to help care for the animals at LTB, please visit www.LionsTigersAndBears.org or call (619) 659-8078.
Contact: Veronica Cruz
Direct: 772-812-4828
Office: 619-659-8078 option 5
Email
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SOURCE Lions, Tigers & Bears
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