Two tigers were forced to live in and be part of a roadside tourist attraction in Oklahoma. The attraction was known to trade tigers with “Tiger King” star Joe Exotic.
The animals were kept in deplorable conditions and never received any medical care.
Thankfully, the tigers, Lola and Mia, were rescued when the attraction was shut down for safety and welfare violations.
They were transferred to Oakland Zoo in California, where they finally received proper medical attention at the zoo’s Veterinary Hospital.
Lola had an untreated infected tooth that caused a facial deformity, but she recently underwent dental surgery to fix it.
Mia also had her fair share of problems. When she was a cub, she was declawed, which left her in pain. She was most likely used for taking pictures with tourists.
The Oakland Zoo received word about the big cats after a concerned citizen contacted them, letting them know that there were malnourished tigers living in tiny cages at the drive-thru zoo.
The cages were much too small for them and were filled with piles of feces and dirty water dishes.
Mia and Lola will never have to worry about being neglected ever again. They will now enjoy their time in the Oakland Zoo’s newly remodeled tiger exhibit.
“It will be very heartwarming to see them be able to walk out on grass for probably the first time ever. Tigers love water. The moment they get to jump into the pool, I think there’s going to be so many times when we really will be so happy about this work that we’re doing,” Colleen Kinzley, Director of Animal Care, Conservation and Research at the Oakland Zoo, told AV Press.
This article by Ashley McCann was first published by The Animal Rescue Site.
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