DECEMBER 7, 2023 – A young and rare white tiger was fortunately rescued from the clutches of the illegal wildlife trade in Europe. On December 5th, the Czech Ministry of Environment rescued a one-year-old white tiger cub named Ramba from illegal private keeping in the Czech Republic. Ramba was kept severely inappropriate keeping conditions in the family home of a Czech MMA fighter. FOUR PAWS, the global animal welfare organization, supported authorities and provided a species-appropriate new home for the young tigress at its TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary in Germany. At TIERART, Ramba will live near her sister Charlota, who was rescued by FOUR PAWS earlier this July.

Thousands of big cats like Ramba fall victim to the commercial illegal trade in Europe every year. FOUR PAWS calls on all EU Member States to implement the EU Tiger Guidance to prevent the suffering and exploitation of more tigers.

Ramba’s former owner, Czech MMA fighter Karlos Vémola, initially appealed the confiscation of Ramba but this appeal was denied on November 2nd. After long negotiations, he handed over Ramba on December 5th. Following the necessary preparations, Ramba was transferred to her new home immediately. A wildlife veterinarian accompanied the transfer to ensure her wellbeing.

The Czech police are investigating both Ramba’s and Charlota’s origin, as legal proceedings are ongoing. Currently, it is only legal to keep a tiger in the Czech Republic with proper documentation proving legal origin and acquisition of the specimen. According to the Czech CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) National Legislation all tigers must be registered by the competent Regional Management Authority. Moreover, the keeping of tigers is subject to permission granted by the competent veterinary bodies in the Czech Republic.

“The breeder was not able to prove the legal origin of the animal or the circumstances of its acquisition, thus violating the Czech Endangered Species Act. In addition, he submitted false documents about the parents of the tiger. It is also necessary to have a veterinary permit to breed tigers. Neither of these conditions was met. Moreover, contact breeding of big cats has a negative impact on the animals kept. The cubs are weaned early from their mothers in order to form a bond with humans. This generates a constant demand for young animals suitable for further short-term domestication. Tigers are not pets and any closer relationship between breeder and animal is not desirable and is detrimental to the animal,” says Petr Bejček, Director of the Czech Environmental Inspectorate.

Wild animals have complex ecological needs and requirements regarding nutrition, space, behaviour, climate and social structure. Private owners often lack the resources, qualifications and knowledge that would allow them to fulfil the high requirements that the species need. The EU Tiger Guidance, once properly implemented by the Member States, will be a vital step in curbing the trade of captive tigers and halting their commercial use, including private ownership.

“Inconsistent legislation among European countries enables easy purchase and cross-border movement of tigers, contributing to their presence on social media and as pets. Legal trade can serve as a conduit for illegal trade of tigers and their parts and derivatives for additional purposes such as the production of Traditional Medicine. To effectively combat this abuse of tigers, a comprehensive ban on commercial breeding and trade of tigers within Europe and all Member States' jurisdictions is necessary to support enforcement efforts. We implore all Member States to effectively implement the recently released EU Tiger Guidance,” says van Genne.

White tigers and lions are often mistakenly believed to be a separate species from their conventionally coloured counterparts. However, their distinctive white fur is a result of a rare recessive genetic mutation rather than albinism. While this mutation does occur naturally in the wild, its expression requires both parents to carry it. Consequently, white tigers and lions are rare in their natural habitats. In captivity, however, they are highly sought after for their visual appeal to visitors, leading breeders to intentionally crossbreed animals that carry this recessive mutation. Unfortunately, this practice often involves inbreeding, which has adverse effects on the health and well-being of the animals. As a result, captive white tigers and lions frequently suffer from growth abnormalities, for example crossed eyes, malformed bones and other developmental conditions that were found after Charlota’s veterinary examination.

TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary, which is run by FOUR PAWS in Maßweiler, Germany, provides a species-appropriate home for big cats that were rescued from poor conditions in zoos, circuses or in private captivity. TIERART houses and cares for numerous native wild animals such as foxes, badgers, wild cats, hares or hedgehogs. In 2021, the first sanctuary for orphaned lynx opened on the grounds of the sanctuary. Many of the native animals that are taken in at TIERART receive medical care and are released back into the wild once recovered. Animals that cannot be released back into the wild and exotic animals like tigers find a permanent, species-appropriate home.