It has been a long journey for “Tsezar” the tiger.
Two years ago, local animal rights activists rescued him from an abandoned privately run breeding facility in Ukraine. For years, the tiger was used for intensive breeding, living under cruel conditions, starved, and abused. Tsezar was kept in a tiny cage and fed mostly with fish waste. He had only limited access to clean drinking water.
The owner eventually abandoned the zoo, leaving six tigers to die from hunger. Only with the help of local animal activists did it become possible to transfer Tsezar to a wildlife sanctuary near Kyiv.
It was a lucky escape for Tsezar.
The sanctuary was the first place where he could heal and recuperate after years of neglect and abuse. But it is too small to provide adequate care for the tiger in the long run. So animal welfare organization Four Paws has come to help.
“For Tsezar, it would have been great if we would have a sanctuary here, but we don’t. And although the people here are taking really good care of him, his enclosure is very small and this tiger needs more space,” said Barbara van Genne, International Head of Wild Animal Rescue and Advocacy at Four Paws.
They have offered to transfer Tsezar to the FELIDA sanctuary in the Netherlands. The center provides special care to traumatized big cats.
The road from Ukraine to the Netherlands is not an easy one. It will take three days, and much more time to organize safe transportation.
“We have quite a complicated journey ahead because we have to cross into the EU. That’s the border between Ukraine and Poland, and then we have to drive to the Netherlands. And as you can imagine, it’s a long drive, so there can be complications,” said Barbara, speaking before the journey.
Veterinarians tried to train Tsezar to go to a specially built crane, but after he refused, putting him under anesthesia is the only option left.
“Danger is if he wakes up in the middle of tranquilization, which can happen,” said driver Roy Shith, who will drive the truck with Tsezar through several countries to reach the FELIDA Big Cats Sanctuary in Nijeberkoop, Netherlands. “But otherwise, no, it is not dangerous. I mean, you do not tamper with the animals on the way. We leave them in quietness, don’t aggravate them and everything is OK.”
The crate is closed and the sleeping tiger begins his long journey to his new home.
After three days, the truck arrives at the sanctuary, and Tsezar’s crate is carefully maneuvered to the release spot. It’s a relief for all to see him stepping out in good spirits and ready to roam his new home. It is a happy ending for Tsezar, but animal rights activists say that more has to be done to save other animals too.
Many animals in Ukraine are still suffering because of illegal trade and breeding. Specialists hope that the new law banning the use of certain wild animal species for entertainment purposes in Ukraine could help to control illegal activities. The law is coming into force in November 2021.
Four Paws is also putting pressure on Ukraine’s government to control the breeding and trade of wild animals.
