Choi-Hu, Timber, and Lulu are available for sponsorship in our Adopt-an-Animal program.

LULU ARRIVED AT SAFE HAVEN IN OCTOBER 2010, AS PART OF OUR LARGEST RESCUE TO DATE.

Lulu, a 14-year-old Siberian tiger, arrived at Safe Haven with African lions Ifaw and Kuvo on October 16, 2010. They were transferred from the Wild Animal Orphanage (WAO) in San Antonio, TX. (There is a video about the rescue on the African Lions page.)

WAO, a very large sanctuary, had fallen on hard times. Citing overpopulation, inadequate housing and lack of funding, the board of directors voted on August 31, 2010 to close the facility and find placement for the remaining animals. They had already given up about 100 of their 400 animals, which included tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, wolf hybrids, and 200 primates.

After arranging to accept Ifaw and Kuvo, Safe Haven also agreed to accept Lulu. The Wildcat Sanctuary accepted three bobcats and nine big cats. Wildcat Haven accepted two tigers and several smaller cats. Safe Haven worked with The Wildcat Sanctuary and Wildcat Haven to coordinate the preparations and transportation for all of the new placements.

Thanks to a generous donation from Barrick Mining, we abuilt a new enclosure for Lulu in 2011. Barrick’s gift of $25,000 was earmarked for the construction of the enclosure and the expansion of our solar power installation.

CHOI-HU AND TIMBER WERE RESCUED IN NOVEMBER 2009 AND MARCH 2010.

Choi-Hu and Timber were emergency rescues from a private home in the Seattle area. When the couple who owned the tigers had to give up their property, both tigers were in danger of becoming homeless and possibly being euthanized. Safe Haven was the only sanctuary in the area with room to accept them.

Choi-Hu (right), a 12-year-old 400-pound Siberian tiger, was rescued on November 20, 2009. Our staff made a 17-hour non-stop drive each way. Upon arriving at Safe Haven, Choi-Hu remained in the trailer in her lockout overnight. The following morning we took her to Reno, where Dr. Patti McCormack performed blood work, vaccinations, dental work, and spay. Choi-Hu then took up residence in her temporary enclosure. The discovery that she was declawed force us to reconsider our idea of having her share an enclosure with Tigger, who was our first tiger.

At the time of Choi-Hu's rescue, we had to leave her male companion, Timber, behind (left). We initiated an urgent fundraising appeal to build a new enclosure to accommodate him as well. By the beginning of March 2010, the enclosure, while not yet fully furnished and landscaped, was complete enough to house Timber.

When we returned to Washington, we were able to lure Timber into the lockout without sedation. Because of snow and ice, the trip back to Safe Haven took almost 24 hours.

Upon arrival Timber was very nervous and initially wouldn't leave the lockout to enter the enclosure. But Tigger, saved the day! He picked up his giant red BoomerBall and ran over to where Timber was calling out to him. Tigger chuffed and chatted to him all afternoon. Reassured, Timber entered the enclosure and spent his first night in his den—safe and sound at last.

Right: Tigger, Safe Haven's first Siberian tiger, passed away in 2010. Under our care, he blossomed into a happy, mischievous character who was a favorite of our visitors. We were grateful for the opportunity to give this extraordinary animal the best years of his life.