Normally, tigers are cornerstone predators of any ecosystem they’re in. They represent power and finesse, and they’re the biggest of the big cats. Panthera tigris is also very pretty to a lot of people.
And some people take this to mean they can just chain them up for entertainment.
This is Susu, a captive tiger in Southern Thailand who’s only known chains and crowds her whole life.
Susu is a gorgeous animal. She may be on the small side for a tiger, but she’s still plenty large enough to impress most people. If only she was allowed to do more than that.
See, instead of roaming Asian jungles and hunting tapir, gaur, and small rhinos, Susu was forced to wear chains and do cool tricks.
They’re impressive, but this isn’t the life a tiger should have. That’s not even mentioning that tigers are highly endangered animals. You’ve heard this a thousand times, but it still rings true.
Habitat destruction and poaching have left their mark on tiger populations.
People are helping tigers slowly regain their numbers, but that could take some time.
And in the meantime, every living tiger like Susu is worth helping and saving.
The Wildlife Friends Foundation in Thailand came to Susu’s aid with a sanctuary to take her to.
It’s no true wild jungle, but it’s sure as heck better than the small, concrete building she was staying in.
Susu was going to have a lot more living space before long. Rescue organizations like Wildlife Friends Foundation are a godsend to the countless wild animals in situations like the one she’s in.
So how was her new home? Was it to her satisfaction?
Her new home was plenty roomy enough for her. There may be no wild tapir or gaur to hunt, but there was wide open space and natural foliage.
She could stretch out and let loose as much as she liked. All under the watchful care of the Wildlife Friends Foundation.
Susu really made herself at home here. She savored and took in as much of the grass and trees as she could.
She also took a nice, long walk like most of us enjoy doing.
She scratched up the trees – because she’s still a cat, after all, and made a new friend.
Like I mentioned earlier, Susu is on the small size for a tiger. They can grow up to 300 kilograms in the wild with enough food and space.
Naturally, captive ones like Susu can’t grow as big. But at least now she has a proper home where she’s not expected to perform for money.
The Wildlife Friends Foundation doesn’t just rescue tigers. They’ve rescued a fair share of elephants and primates too.
Thailand has a pretty big problem with mistreatment of wild animals. But thanks to foundations like the one that rescued Susu, some of them are getting a second chance.
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