Vienna, 13 March 2025 – From being locked inside tiny circus trailers for years to finally enjoying real grass under their paws – a lot has changed for Samba and Kenya, Slovakia’s last circus tigers, who have found a new species-appropriate home at the FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands. After getting enough time and space to settle in and a successful treatment for parasites for tiger Samba, both animals were slowly reintroduced to each other before being released into their outdoor enclosure. Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS rescued both tigresses in January 2025, marking an end to the keeping of big cats in circuses in Slovakia.

“Tigresses Samba and Kenya are enjoying their new life at FELIDA. Just a few days ago, they were released into their outdoor enclosures. During a check, our animal caretaker team found out that Samba suffered from internal parasites which delayed the release. But we are happy to announce that she is officially parasite-free!,” says Juno van Zon, Head of Animal and Facility Management at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary.

Following their quarantine, the 14-year-old tigers were slowly reintroduced to each other indoors. Though Kenya and Samba had to live together in tiny circus trailers for years, it was not a given that they wanted to stay together. To check how they reacted towards each other and see if they could potentially share an enclosure, the experienced caretakers from FELIDA developed a careful resocialisation process.

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.