Last week the NSPCA received numerous complaints from concerned residents in Muldersdrift, Gauteng, after a white Siberian tiger, named Tyson, had been moved onto a private property in the neighbourhood.

The NSPCA wasted no time in sending a team of inspectors out to investigate and found that the tiger was being kept under conditions that compromised the welfare of both the animal, as well as the people living in the area.

“The ‘enclosure’ that had been erected for the tiger was found to be completely inadequate and the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) had not issued permits or approved the transportation of the tiger. GDARD has indicated that charges will be laid against the owner for breaking the law.

“The NSPCA arranged for the tiger to be admitted into the care of the Waterberg Wildlife Rescue in Limpopo, which is an NSPCA-accredited sanctuary,” explains NSPCA public relations spokesperson Keshvi Nair.

The NSPCA and GDARD was back on the property in Muldersdrift yesterday to monitor the darting and moving of Tyson to his new home.

Dr Peter Caldwell, an expert wildlife veterinarian, safely tranquilised the tiger and then performed a full health check. Caldwell also vaccinated, microchipped, and dewormed the tiger before he was loaded for transportation to the sanctuary.