Two tigers laying in grass

Slovakia’s Last Circus Tigers Enjoy Their New Forever Home in the Netherlands

Samba and Kenya explore their outdoor enclosure at the FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

13.3.2025

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.

“After they cautiously entered their outdoor enclosures and got a feeling for their new surroundings, Samba and Kenya quickly found their favourite spot to rest and take a nap. We often see them laying close to each other in or around a cozy ditch. During a nice sunny day, Kenya took a long nap in the ditch. Finally, away from loud crowds and stressful performances, both seem to slowly be recovering from their past. We can’t wait to share more of their journey to recovery. For now, we’ll give them all the space and time needed to get used to each other and closely monitor the development of their relationship" 

Juno van Zon, Head of Animal and Facility Management at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

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.

Rescued circus tigresses Samba and Kenya

The Last Circus Tigers in Slovakia


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Anita Mangalath International PR Officer

Anita Mangalath

(she/her)
PR International Officer

anita.mangalath@four-paws.org

+43 (0) 664 848 55 87

VIER PFOTEN International 
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1150 Vienna, Austria

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FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org

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