When a 9-month-old Bengal tiger was rescued from an abusive circus, officials couldn’t believe the state of her health. Aasha was only 1/4 of what she should weigh – 30 pounds – and had more bald spots on her body than hair.
According to Vickey Keahey, founder of Texas’ In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center, the cause of her unruly appearance was ringworm. Some of the cub’s injuries were also a result of living in a too-small cage with an older tiger that beat up on her.
“I asked how could a 9-month-old tiger be that small,” Keahey told The Dodo. “Aasha’s bald spots covered almost her entire body and her skin was dry [with] cracked, darken areas and bleeding.”
Emaciated and afraid of water, Aasha soon began receiving medicine and affection two times a day from Keahey.
“I knew I was going to have to handle her in order to get her well,” the activist said.
At first, the tiger didn’t like being in water or her medicine. But within eight weeks, remarkable progress was made.
Aasha began appreciating water, so her caretakers installed a pool – which she now loves – in her enclosure. Having attained a much healthier size and weight, Aasha finally looks like the majestic beast she is.
“Within eight months she looked like a real tiger, and it was time to see how she would react to other tigers,” Keahey said. “We loaded her up and put her right next door to Smuggler. He went crazy for her and was always showing off for her.”
Even though Smuggler was three times Aasha’s size, the founder of the Center was sure there was an attraction between the two… And she was right! The two began ‘dating’ and eventually moved into the same enclosure together.
“That was about four years ago,” said Keahey. “Aasha is still about half Smuggler’s size, but he knows when to steer clear of her.”
Thanks to the good work the In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center does, Aasha transitioned from a sickly cub into a happy and healthy adult tiger.
If you’d like to support In-Sync Exotics, please consider making a donation.
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