Your daily adult tube feed all in one place!
Gorgeous tiger cub rescued by Oakland Zoo after suffering horrific abuse at ANIMAL SANCTUARY now has a brand-new home
An wildlife sanctuary is being accused of animal abuse and neglect after a tiger cub with multiple fractures was rescued by a California zoo.
Cleo, formerly known as Lily, was liberated from the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation in Butte County after she was found suffering from a major bone disease by the Oakland Zoo.
During examination, the zoo's veterinary staff said the cub had suffered 10 fractures due to the 'decalcification' or softening of her bones due to lack of calcium.
'Inadequate amounts of calcium and phosphorus in her diet caused her body to source the calcium from her bones, which resulted in the weakening of the bones and subsequent fracturing during normal young tiger activities, such as play behavior. This led to a 50 percent muscle atrophy,' officials said.
Since her rescue, the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife has filed a report against the Kirshner Foundation of animal neglect.
Cleo, formerly known as Lily, was liberated from the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation, Butte County after she was found suffering with a major bone disease by the Oakland Zoo
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey has confirmed to the San Francisco Chronicle that the report is currently under review and they are deciding whether the charges are warranted.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation for a comment on the accusations.
After spending some time at the zoo, Cleo was transferred to the Performing Animal Welfare Society Sanctuary in San Andreas where they began to provide her with special medical and nutritional care.
Dr. Jackie Gai, PAWS’ director of veterinary services, said: 'She’s getting a high quality, nutritious diet and a couple of medications that are helping with any discomfort she had from her condition.
Since her rescue, the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife has filed a report against the Kirshner Foundation of animal neglect
'It remains to be seen if she’s ever going to grow to a full sized, perfectly proportioned tiger. We may find that she has stunted growth. And she will probably be more prone to arthritis at a younger age in her future.
'She’s so small and so young. It’s really tragic. That hurts me as a veterinarian to see that — a young animal harmed in that way. I think about the bigger issues of ‘why do people have these animals to begin with?’ Tigers should be in the wild. So I meet an animal like Cleo and I get sad, I get angry on so many different levels.'
In July 2023, a month after Cleo was born, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals also urged the state to investigate and take action against the Foundation due to Cleo’s worsening health.
The organization said that the sanctuary had violated its operating permit by breeding tigers and noted that Cleo's sibling, who was born on the same day, died two days after being born.
After spending some time at the zoo, Cleo was transferred to the Performing Animal Welfare Society Sanctuary in San Andreas where they began to provide her with special medical and nutritional care
In July 2023, a month after Cleo was born, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals also urged the state to investigate and take action against the Foundation due to Cleo’s worsening health
At the time, the organization said documents suggested that the Department of Fish and Wildlife had not yet opened an investigation into the white cub's death.
Brittany Peet, PETA’s general counsel for captive animal law enforcement, said in a statement: 'The Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation has made it clear it has no business being trusted with animals' care, as the endangered big cats and other animals confined there develop preventable diseases and wounds left to fester.
'PETA is calling on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to revoke the permit of this sleazy roadside zoo and have these animals transferred to reputable facilities where they can get the care they desperately need.'
The Kirshner Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 that aims to make the public more enlightened about the importance of both native and exotic wildlife.