Moving Caruso was the best next step for him. When FOUR PAWS first met him in 2013, he was very stressed and had neglected and severe dental problems. The FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary team helped him recover from his health and behaviour problems. With success, last year we could conclude that he had become a relaxed and playful tiger that no longer needed special care. He was now ready for more space and we were able to provide him with that at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary. We successfully transferred Caruso to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in March 2019. 

Twelve-year-old Caruso was born in a German safari park and traded to a circus where he was then raised by hand. When he was two years old, he ended up in an overly crowded rescue centre in the Netherlands. Until FOUR PAWS took over, all he knew was pain, stress and boredom. But thanks to the special care at the FOUR PAWS owned FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary, Caruso recovered from his past suffering and found his forever home at LIONSROCK. 

Before heading to South Africa on the biggest journey of his life, Caruso was trained to voluntarily enter his transport crate. That way, stress could be minimised, and risky anaesthesia avoided. The FELIDA animal caretaker who helped Caruso recover, also accompanied him to LIONSROCK. Shortly after his arrival, he explored his new enclosure curiously. Within minutes, he was comfortable enough to take a refreshing dip into his pool.

In the month after Caruso was released from the adaptation area into his big enclosure, he suddenly showed signs of pain and did not want to move or eat much. As the caretakers could not see anything obvious the vet was called. He examined Caruso and found old fractures on some vertebrae which caused the sudden pain. 

Caruso was put on pain medication and supporting supplements and he improved immediately, started eating and walking around again. The fractures were most likely a result of the poor nutrition and lack of calcium when he was growing up, affecting bone development.  

Unfortunately, many of our big cats suffer such consequences as a result of the conditions they were kept before their rescue by FOUR PAWS. Luckily Caruso has recovered well and enjoys his new home at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary again, where he likes to watch his neighbours or rest comfortably at one of his favourite spots in his enclosure.   

Sadly, Tiger Caruso passed away in April 2023. Despite the physical and mental scars of his past, Caruso remained a friendly tiger with a strong will and a gentle heart.