Collection: Simba Tiger

Rescue Story: In 2023, TCWR took in 34 cats from Big Cat Rescue, an accredited GFAS sanctuary in Tampa, FL. Big Cat Rescue (BCR) was founded in 1992 to safeguard the world's exotic wildcat species through a multifaceted approach with conservation efforts to protect them in captivity and their natural habitats. BCR championed the fight on Capitol Hill, which aided in passing the Big Cat Public Safety Act in December of 2022. With united missions, BCR and TCWR have collaborated in rescuing exotic animals nationally, and both are founding members of the Big Cat Sanctuary alliance. BCR has been a leader in captive wildlife advocacy for over 30 years, and with the new Act passed in Congress, their mission shifted to focus on conservation efforts in the wild. BCR approached TCWR in 2023 about relocating their remaining animals to the beautiful Ozarks. TCWR broke ground on the new habitat expansion, known as Freedom Field, in 2023, where BCR animals will reside. Simba is one of the 34 cats relocated from BCR.

Original Rescue Story: In June 2018, Simba was rescued from the Hermanos Pone Circus in Guatemala by a renowned animal welfare organization, Animal Defenders International (ADI). In April 2018, ADI helped pass a new law banning the use of animals in circuses in Guatemala. Due to the copious amounts of defiant circuses, the Guatemalan government invited ADI to help enforce this new law.

Since tigers are considered endangered, BCR was required to apply for an import permit. BCR filed for the permit in August 2018 with the United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS). Throughout the long 15 months of awaited approval from the USFWS and the Guatemalan authorities, BCR supporters rallied together to fund the care for the three tigers at a temporary ADI holding facility in Guatemala. Simba and two other tigers - Kimba and Max- arrived in November of 2019 on a cargo plane in Miami, FL. BCR’s rescue team arrived in Miami with their transport trailer and completed their journey to the ultimate Refuge. 

ADI rescued six lions and 15 tigers from rogue circuses throughout Guatemala once the new law was enforced. Sadly, no matter how powerful these predators are, they remain at the mercy of their captors. Besides the three that BCR took in, all of the other animals stayed in South Africa at the Rescue Center ADI built for them to live out their remaining years.