VIDEO: Freedom for Hoover the tiger after life spent in circus cage
A new video released by Animal Defenders International (ADI) tells the remarkable story of Hoover the tiger, saved from a circus in Peru, where secretly filmed video shows him being trained with whips and sticks and living in small cage, and now living in a natural woodland with his own pool, next to other tigers at Big Cat Rescue in Florida https://youtu.be/KRxrJv78J3Q
Sick and emaciated, Hoover was the sole survivor of an original group of 12 tigers owned by the circus and looked set to follow their fate until Peru’s wildlife department, SERFOR, police and ADI rescued him during a mission to enforce Peru’s new law.
The circus had tried to evade the law, disappearing into the mountains for eight months, but they were tracked down and in a surprise raid, Hoover was saved.
Safely in ADI’s care, Hoover was transferred to the Spirit of Freedom rescue centre near Lima and with extensive rehabilitation, much tender loving care, veterinary attention, toys and exercise he recovered and thrived.
ADI President, Jan Creamer said, “Hoover was very lucky to survive, his last cage mate had died before we could get to him. We were very grateful for the public support and information that helped us to track the circus down, now he can live in peace in his wonderful new environment.”
After many months of anxious waiting, Hoover got his permit to live in the US and on his 12th birthday, flew from Lima, Peru to Miami, Florida with an ADI care team and a cargo of flowers.
With a welcome party eagerly awaiting his arrival, Hoover was carefully unloaded at the sanctuary and then released into his new home. Stepping out onto the soft grass Hoover was keen to explore the wonderful habitat, which has jungle-like trees and plants and a spring-fed lake which he has taken to swimming in.
Big Cat Rescue Founder Carole Baskin said, “We are so happy to welcome Hoover and provide him with a safe, peaceful home at our sanctuary in Tampa. He will now spend the rest of his life enjoying the warm breezes of Florida, relaxing in the shady grass, lounging on his platforms and cooling off in our lake. He will literally be a world away from the abuse he suffered most of his life.“
ADI’s Operation Spirit of Freedom has removed all wild animals from circuses in Peru; over 100 animals saved, making it the largest rescue of its kind. Native wild animals including bears, monkeys, birds and reptiles have homes in their Amazon habitats and 33 lions taken on a specially chartered flight home to Africa.
About Animal Defenders International
Operating from Los Angeles, London and Bogota, ADI campaigns across the globe on animals in entertainment, providing technical advice to governments and rescuing animals in distress. ADI has a worldwide reputation for providing video and photographic evidence exposing behind-the-scenes suffering and supporting this evidence with scientific research on captive wildlife and transport. ADI rescues animals and educates the public. www.ad-international.org
About Big Cat Rescue
Located in Tampa, Fla., Big Cat Rescue is one of the largest accredited sanctuaries in the world dedicated to rescuing and providing a permanent home for abused and abandoned big cats. The nonprofit organization is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, certified by Independent Charities of America as a “Best in America Charity,” and has a four-star rating (the highest) from Charity Navigator for sound non-profit fiscal management. The sanctuary is home to over 80 exotic cats. www.BigCatRescue.org
Worldwide end to use of wild animals in traveling shows: Evidence of animal suffering caused by constant travel, confinement and unnatural lifestyle has prompted legislators to end animal shows.
National restrictions on performing animals in travelling circuses, either wild or all animals, have been enacted in 32 countries – Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Israel, Malta, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, Sweden, and Taiwan, The Netherlands. Similar laws are under discussion in the UK, USA, Brazil and Chile.
