The two rescued tigers from Buenos Aires arrive at Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife, Jordan.

Success of Critical Mission

Two rescued Bengal tigers arrive safely in Jordan

25.5.2023

Vienna, 23 May 2023 – On 21 May, two confiscated tigers from Argentina safely arrived at Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife in Jordan after a 60-hour transport including two flights. Despite the poor conditions they lived in for many years, both of the big cats arrived in good health. An expert team from global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS together with the Argentinian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development rescued the five and 18-year-old tigers from an illegal private breeding farm in Balcarce in Buenos Aires province on 18 May.

The FOUR PAWS expert team was led by Dr Amir Khalil who recalls the neglected scenery of the breeding farm: 

“It was a real shock to see how bad the keeping conditions were at the breeding farm where both had to endure most of their lives. The ground was covered in mud and excrement, with rotten cadavers laying around for feed. This is why we’ve all been eagerly waiting to see how the tigers will react to their new surroundings in Al Ma’wa. The old one is very calm already while the younger one is still very stressed and has not left the night room yet. But given the circumstances and the exhaustion of the long journey this is not surprising. Both tigers will be examined more thoroughly in an upcoming vet-check to get a better understanding of their health status and to best prepare for their long-term care.”

Dr Amir Khalil, Mission Team Lead | Director Reveal and Rescue Response at FOUR PAWS.

Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife: A home for rescued wild animals in Jordan

Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife was established in 2011 as a partnership between FOUR PAWS and the Princess Alia Foundation. It provides a regional solution for rescued wild animals and offers emergency relief to animals from crisis areas in the Middle East. The sanctuary functions as a lifelong home for rescued big cats, bears, wolves and hyenas, as well as for a number of primates, birds and reptiles that were kept in inadequate conditions in zoos, circuses or private captivity. The environment created for the animals offers the highest standards with regards to species-appropriate and spacious living conditions, veterinary care and security.

In 2022, FOUR PAWS successfully conducted its first-ever rescue mission South America: The rescue of four tigers, who spent over 15 years stuck in a train carriage in Argentina, and their transfer to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. Read their story here.

Stop the Tiger Trade

help us ban the eu tiger trade


The world has already lost over 90 per cent of its tigers

Sign here
Public Relations Officer ZA

Deidre Daniels

Public Relations Officer

Deidre.Daniels@four-paws.org

+27 (0)21 702 4277

+27 (0)78 675 8220

9B Bell Crescent, Westlake Business Park, 
Green Building, Cape Town, 7945

A Public Relations professional with over eight years’ experience in fostering positive relationships between organisations and media.

FOUR PAWS in South Africa on Social Media

Stay up to date on this topic and on all FOUR PAWS activities on our social media channels:

or subscribe to FOUR PAWS in South Africa newsletter.

FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org.za 

Share now!

Search