[imagesource: Sandton SPCA]

Tiger King may have captivated audiences with the neverending plot twists and turns that unfolded along the way, alongside its cast of bizarre characters, but most wouldn’t want to find themselves in the company of the Joe Exotics and Carol Baskins of the world.

They are genuinely horrible people – just ask Joe Exotic’s niece, Chealsi Putman.

One of the things that the show did do, apart from shock and fascinate, was ignite conversation about the way that big cats are treated in captivity.

They aren’t supposed to be pets, they’re wild animals, and keeping them in small spaces is incredibly cruel.

With that in mind, you’ll be appalled to learn that two white tiger cubs were found cooped up in a yard in Houghton, Jozi, this week.

Per DispatchLIVE, the Sandton SPCA, which are lobbying to have the cubs moved to a safe sanctuary, issued a statement:

“Inspectors were made aware of a property in Houghton where tiger cubs were being kept on the premises in an enclosed area… These young predators appeared to be in fairly good physical condition, but the enclosure did not have filled water bowls and the environment lacked enrichment,” the statement reads.

Image: Sandton SPCA

“Our inspectors requested that the cubs be surrendered to an approved sanctuary, where they can live in an environment as close as possible to their natural habitat with minimal human intervention.

The owners were advised that tiger cubs are not domesticated animals and should not be kept as companion animals nor in captivity.”

After the owner was warned, he built a water container into the ground and installed “enrichment equipment” like a jungle gym.

“The SPCA is opposed to wild animals being kept in captivity and are working with the environmental health department to ensure that these animals are released to a suitable environment where all their needs can be catered for,” said the SPCA.

There’s no word on how the owner got the cubs or what he planned on doing when they reached maturity, but the SPCA says it will keep up the pressure to have the cubs removed.

If you’d like to do your bit to help the SPCA protect animals like these tiger cubs, head here to make a donation, volunteer your services, or adopt a kitty looking for a forever home.

[source:dispatchlive]