Tigers, leopards, lions, and other big cats are often revered – yet commonly end up in abusive situations such as roadside zoos, travelling circuses, and the exotic-pet trade. Currently, there are more big cats in captivity in the United States than there are in the wild, meaning that for many of these beautiful, intelligent animals, life is a daily nightmare. Living in captivity is extremely stressful for these naturally freedom-seeking animals, who are often driven to insanity in confinement, resulting in abnormal behaviours and depression. Animal rescue groups work to free them from their ordeal – but the issue remains having a place for them to go, as returning them to the wild is often not an option. For many of these animals, a reputable and accredited sanctuary remains the best way to live out their lives.
Animal protection organisation Four Paws is dedicated to help big cats live a life of freedom – and their South African sanctuary, Lionsrock, is a home to over 100 tigers, lions, jaguars, and other animals coming from safari parks, circuses, and zoos. Having taken over the property in 2006, Four Paws aims to give the animals a life that resembles their natural habitats as closely as possible. All enclosures are several hectares in size, consisting of open grassland with trees and bushes, to replicate the environments that most feel like home to the animals. Structures are in place to allow the animals shelter from the elements, but at the same the area is planned so that they are never in a corner and always have the feeling that there are no borders.
To prevent more big-cat suffering, Lionsrock also works on education, spreading the word on why cub-petting attractions, as well as safari parks and zoos, are detrimental to wild animals. The sanctuary also educates on how, due to human activity, big cats are threatened in the wild. Their goal is to foster understanding for these animals, whom we are often fascinated by, but commonly know very little about.