A tiger cub who was found wandering a California neighborhood is settling in at a nearby animal sanctuary. But workers still know so little about him. Kelly Hessedal reports.
--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS --
WEIGHING JUST 40 POUNDS.. THIS BABY TIGER TAKES A SIP OF WATER AT HIS NEW HOME THE LIONS TIGERS AND BEARS SANCTUARY FOUNDER BOBBI BRINK.
(Bobbi Brink/Founder) "So far hes really sweet really craves attention."
ATTENTION HE SHOULD BE GETTING FROM HIS MOTHER. SADLY THE LITTLE GUY..WHO HASN'T YET BEEN NAMED WAS FOUND ABANDONED, ROAMING THE STREETS OF HEMET LAST WEEK.
(Bobbi Brink/Founder) "We don't really know his story".
CALIFORNIA FISH & WILDLIFE CONTACTED BRINK FRIDAY SHE AGREED TO TAKE HIM IN.
(Bobbi Brink/Founder) "The biggest problem he doesnt have his sibling doesnt have his mother so this is the time of his life when he would be learning the most yet people have yanked him away from nature".
SHE SAYS THERE ARE SIGNS HE WAS SOMEONE'S PET.
(Bobbi Brink/Founder) "Unfortunately somebody declawed him which just lames them it's illegal in California i dont know who would do such a thing".
SHE SAYS HE APPEARS TO BE MALNOURISHED HEALTH TESTING WILL NEED TO BE DONE BEFORE HE CAN BE PLACED WITH ANOTHER TIGER.
(Bobbi Brink/Founder) "Definitely x ray on his paws".
SO IT CAN GET LONELY.
(Bobbi Brink/Founder) "It's sad its heartbreaking he's crying for his mommy".
HIS MOST LIKELY COMPANION.
(Bobbi Brink/Founder) "Come on he's a good boy".
2 YEAR OLD MAVERICK. AT 460 POUNDS HE'S STILL CONSIDERED A BABY. HE TOO WAS BROUGHT HERE AFTER OFFICIALS DISCOVERED HE WAS ILLEGALLY BEING RAISED IN ANOTHER CALIFORNIA HOME.
(Bobbi Brink/Founder) "They dont make good pets please dont get them as pet. If you ever have the opportunity to do the cub petting get your picture taken with a cub please dont do it this is exactly these animals are yanked from their mother it is only unnatural, they can only use them for 12 weeks old and then they're disposable."
THE SANCTUARY SAYS IT COSTS ABOUT 10-THOUSAND A MONTH TO FEED A TIGER.
THE OWNER SAYS THEY WILL LIKELY HOLD A FUNDRAISER TO NAME THE CUB.
Instructional Links
Website Article: San Diego Zoo, Mammal, Tiger