A cleaner found the tiger and informed the zoo. The tiger cub was extremely thin and dehydrated and is “in critical condition.”
Veterinarians are now taking care of the young tiger. Among other things, they took X-rays and discovered that the tiger has weak bones. “She probably had insufficient or wrong food. The tiger has a serious shortage of vitamins and minerals,” says one of the vets.
Killed or dumped
The tiger is likely a victim of illegal wildlife trade. These are smuggled from Asia and Africa to Europe, the routes then run through Greece. The zoo’s director warns, “Tigers are not pets. If kept as pets, they will eventually be killed or dumped.”
The wildlife trade is a multi-billion dollar business, according to Interpol. That it concerns a tiger, is special. Although, according to the head of the Greek animal protection, it is not the first. “Usually it’s smaller animals like snakes.”
The found tiger is temporarily cared for in the zoo in Athens. She cannot stay there, because there are no congeners. When she’s fixed up, she’ll probably be taken to a tiger shelter.
