Traumatised tigers receive first medical check-up since their rescue from Syria
International animal protection organisation FOUR PAWS conducts first comprehensive medical examination on two tigers rescued from Syria
In July 2017, a FOUR PAWS team evacuated the big cats Sultan and Sayeeda, along with eleven other animals, from a neglected zoo near the war-torn city of Aleppo. Three months later, the tigers were transferred to the Dutch Big Cat Centre FELIDA run by FOUR PAWS. The animals were in such bad shape that a thorough examination was only possible after months of trauma therapy, on March 28.
The hardships of the past have left their marks on Sultan and Sayeeda. Both big cats were in such a fragile state of health during and after the rescue from Syria that the first extensive check-up could only be performed now. The team of veterinarians examined the eyes, skin and fur, paws and teeth of the animals. In addition, blood tests as well as X-ray and ultrasound examinations of the skeleton and internal organs were made.
The examination was led by Dr Frank Göritz from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), who had already accompanied the tigers' rescue.
Soon, first attempts will be made to socialise Sultan and Sayeeda. Therefore, it was necessary to castrate Sultan.
Scars from a painful past
FOUR PAWS rescued the tigers Sultan and Sayeeda along with other zoo animals from the neglected zoo at the 'Magic World' amusement park near Aleppo on July 21, 2017. In what was an extremely challenging mission, FOUR PAWS brought all former zoo residents across the Syrian-Turkish border to a sanctuary in Karacabey near the Turkish city of Bursa. There, the injured and traumatised animals received first aid.
In October 2017, the two tigers were transferred to the Netherlands.
FELIDA: rehabilitation for big cats
Sultan and Sayeeda will be able to continue their recovery in surroundings suited to their species at Big Cat Centre FELIDA in Nijeberkoop in the Netherlands. The team at FELIDA is specialised in caring for animals who need special attention, often due to psychological and physical trauma. This includes intensive monitoring of their behaviour and well-being. Individual enrichment, training, enclosure furnishing and medical care are adjusted to the animals' needs. FOUR PAWS plans to expand FELIDA to accommodate more rescued big cats in the future.
Elise Burgess
Head of CommunicationsM: 0423 873 382
FOUR PAWS Australia
GPO Box 2845
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Main Phone: 1800 454 228
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, animals in fashion, 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.au