Rosemary and Morris are part of the “Colorado Eight”, a group of tigers rescued from a defunct roadside zoo that made money by selling interactions with cubs to the public.
Morris and Rosemary in their habitat at PAWS ARK 2000 Sanctuary.
PAWS is marking the 10th birthday of not one but two of our tigers:
Rosemary and Morris. To see them today, you would never know how
they had suffered in the past.
Rosemary and Morris are part of the “Colorado Eight”, a group of
tigers rescued from a defunct roadside zoo that made money by
selling interactions with cubs to the public.
“Cub petting” operations rely on a steady stream of babies for photo
and “play” sessions, so tigers are constantly bred, without regard
for their welfare. Rosemary (pictured) was exploited in this way.
Rosemary
She would have seen her cubs, one litter after another, snatched from her soon after birth so they could be used for profit. Once her cubs grew too big, they would have been discarded – sent to decrepit roadside zoos or backyard menageries – or they could have simply “disappeared.”
Morris and Rosemary were held in poor conditions at the zoo, which
was cited multiple times for failing to provide safe and sanitary
conditions, and even veterinary care. Morris (pictured) has a
malformed shoulder that causes him to limp.
Morris
Today, these two beautiful tigers prowl a large, lush habitat at ARK
2000 filled with trees and native vegetation. They can choose to
soak in a cool pool, scratch on trees, play with one another, or
just lie on their backs in the sun.
Won’t you please support the ongoing care of Rosemary, Morris, and
all the wild animals at
PAWS by making a donation today?