The two tigers were translocated in an emergency rescue operation. According to the animal welfare organisation – Four Paws - an 8-year-old male tiger, named Jasper, breached the fence of his enclosure on June 16 and killed an employee of the Seaview Predator Park who was working on fences in close proximity to Jasper’s enclosure. 

The organisation’s Yvonne Nieuwenhuis in a statement explains Jasper further breached the fences of a neighbouring enclosure where he killed another male tiger, to get to a female tiger who was in the oestrus cycle. The electric fences of Jasper’s enclosure were not functional as the park was busy with repairs, which provided an opportunity for the tiger to escape.

“On the same afternoon, after the tragic event, the management team of the park placed Jasper in a small, holding facility to manage the incident. The park then contacted the Aspinall Foundation to provide assistance in securing a new home for Jasper as the park was unable to ensure his safety. FOUR PAWS, which manages LIONSROCK, confirmed that they were able to accommodate the tiger immediately and the operation was launched. LIONSROCK is a world-class sanctuary where breeding, hunting, trade of any sort, and animal interactions are prohibited,” said Nieuwenhuis.

The team then decided that Jade, the 8-year-old female tiger (Jasper’s sister), should also be surrendered as they had been together their entire lives.

Following receipt of all the necessary translocation permits from both the Free State and Eastern Cape Departments of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, and Tourism (Destea), the two tigers were moved to their new home in the Free State where they are both recovering and adapting.

OFM News