What better day than July 29th ~ International Tiger Day ~ to commemorate Tony’s 21st birthday. While the exact date of Tony’s birth is unknown, a sign at the truck stop stated he was born in July 2000. Tony touched the hearts of people all over the world who overwhelmingly supported his release to an accredited big cat sanctuary. Wonderful sanctuaries had a standing offer of a home for him, and Tony’s legal warriors, The Animal Legal Defense Fund, were relentless in their efforts for his release. Sadly, Tony never got to a sanctuary home, he languished for 17 years at Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, LA. and died in 2017. I will never forget the times I visited him. It was truly heartbreaking to see him, but I still was in awe at being in the presence of such a magnificent big cat. On each visit I told him we’d never give up ~ and we never did. I’m just so sorry Tony never got to a clean, spacious, compassionate sanctuary home. Tony was truly the “poster-tiger” for captive tigers and big cats. His story was known globally and raised tremendous awareness about the captive tiger | big cat issue in the United States. Tony will always be the Ambassador for Captive Tigers and will always have a special place in our hearts. Happy Birthday “ T “ ~ We Miss You. Run Free Tony #FreeTonyTiger #TonyAlways
International Tiger Day, or Global Tiger Day, was created at the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010 and is celebrated on July 29th to raise world awareness for wild tigers and support for their conservation. Learn more about wild tigers and the efforts to protect and conserve these majestic big cats at:
- https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/tiger
- http://tiger.panda.org/
- https://projectcat.discovery.com/
An estimated 3,900 tigers remain in the wild, up from the previous estimate of as few as 3,200 in 2010. In the United States there are more than 5,000 privately owned tigers. Tiger cubs are exploited for photo ops and cub petting/holding. Tigers languish in deplorable roadside zoos; our Tony the Tiger spent 17 years as a roadside attraction at a truck stop.
One of the ways you can help captive U.S. tigers is to support legislation to ban private ownership. Ask your congress members to support the Big Cat Public Safety Act by taking action here : https://aldf.org/article/add-your-voice-support-the-big-cat-public-safety-act/ via Animal Legal Defense Fund.
We honor and remember Tony and his wild tiger “cousins” on International Tiger Day and give a ROAR to the wonderful sanctuaries and organizations who supported his release:
The Animal Legal Defense Fund : Tony’s Legal Champions
Big Cat Rescue in Tampa FL
The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone MN
Wildcat Ridge Sanctuary in Scotts Mills, OR
The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keeneburg CO
Thanks to all of Tony’s friends for your friendship, love and support throughout the years. Please KEEP ROARING for captive tigers and big cats.
Free Tony The Tiger 
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