Nijeberkoop/Vienna, 15 January 2025 – Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS rescued the last circus tigers in Slovakia. Although they no longer had to perform in circus shows, the animals still had to live in tiny trailer cages with little space to move for years. After their owner decided to hand them over voluntarily, FOUR PAWS transferred tigresses Samba and Kenya safely to its FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands on 15 January. The relocation of the tigers marks a milestone in Slovakia's efforts to end the keeping of wild animals in circuses. Circuses are not allowed to enter the country if they keep big cats or any animals from Slovakia’s banned list. Unlike Slovakia, a few countries across Europe – like Germany – still allow circuses to keep big cats.

The long journey from Slovakia to the Netherlands to reach their forever home comes to an end for the two 14-year-old tigresses Samba and Kenya, who have arrived safely at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary and are currently resting in their indoor enclosure. Before being released into their outdoor enclosures, the caretakers in FELIDA will make sure that they are free of any contagious disease and work on trust-building activities with the animals. Initially, three tigresses were planned to be rescued but sadly, the white tigress Princess suffered from severe illnesses, including liver and kidney disease. She had to be relieved from her chronic pain before the transfer.

No more big cats in circuses – a milestone for Slovakia, but other EU countries are far behind

The arrival of Samba and Kenya at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary represents a great achievement for animal welfare in Slovakia. With the use of wild animals in circuses being already illegal in the country, authorities will continue enforcing their rules by denying entry to circuses that use or keep big cats and other animals from their banned list.

“By voluntarily surrendering its tigresses, Circus Aleš improved the lives of the animals and contributed to Slovakia’s goal of ending the keeping of big cats in circuses. Compared to Slovakia, a few other European countries still lag behind. Germany, for example, still allows circuses to keep and exploit wild animals for shows and legally keep big cats in tiny indoor enclosures of only 12m² and outdoor enclosures of only 50 m². Considering that big cats are accustomed to vast habitats in the wild, confining them to such tiny spaces is unimaginable,” adds Tiplea.

Bred and sold for entertainment purposes – the fate of big cats in Europe

In autumn of 2024, Slovakian civil association for animal welfare Sloboda Zvierat reached out to FOUR PAWS about three circus tigresses – Samba, Kenya and Princess – in dire need of a species-appropriate home. Samba and Kenya were bred in France and sold in 2013 to the Czech circus which then moved to Slovakia. Both were in stable condition but the conditions of the white tigress Princess was deteriorating alarmingly as she suffered from severe health conditions. Her fragile health was potentially linked to unethical breeding practices, such as inbreeding, that are often used for white big cats in captivity.

The fate of circus tigers like Samba, Kenya and Princess highlights the suffering and long journeys of big cats traded and used for entertainment purposes in Europe. Through its #RuthlessTrade campaign, FOUR PAWS urges EU Member States to implement the 2023 EU Tiger Guidance and end the commercial trade and suffering of tigers.

FOUR PAWS rejects the carriage and presentation of all animal species in circuses, shows and other forms of entertainment. It is impossible to keep circus animals – particularly wild species like tigers, lions and elephants – in a way that is appropriate to their natural behavior and complex needs. 

FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary – a home for rescued big cats

FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands is one of 13 wild animal sanctuaries and cooperation projects FOUR PAWS has established worldwide for rescued wild animals. The sanctuary provides specialised care and a home for rescued and traumatised big cats that were kept in inadequate conditions in zoos, circuses or private captivity. Animals that need lifelong intensive and special care stay at FELIDA. Four rescued lions are currently living at the sanctuary.