Paying tribute to Sandro

Sandro (c) Animanatura Wild Sanctuary

Born Free is deeply saddened to share the news that our beloved Sandro, a male tiger we rehomed with our partners at Animanatura Wild Sanctuary, in Italy, has died. 

With his lifetime care funded by Born Free’s generous supporters, the incredible team at Animanatura Wild Sanctuary has provided expert and very loving care to this wonderful tiger, since he arrived with them five years ago.

At almost 21 years old, Sandro had recently started showing significant signs of his age. Following veterinary advice, the heartbreaking decision was made that it was time to gently put him to sleep – to ensure he passed peacefully, and without any pain.

“Sandro was amazing and we miss him tremendously,” said Lisa Russo from the Animanatura team. “Every single person who works here is sad. It feels strange not to pass by and say ‘hello’ to him anymore.

“Thank you, Born Free, for giving Animanatura the opportunity to look after him. It was a true honour for us. I personally will never forget him because my whole experience here started with Sandro, and the effort to bring him to Italy.”

Sandro at Ayamonte Zoo

Sandro certainly had an incredible story. Many years ago, Born Free joined forces with Spanish organisations to investigate zoos across Spain, exposing numerous cases of extremely poor conditions. Sandro was living in one of these zoos – Ayamonte Zoo, in the southwest of the country.

Through what is now our Raise the Red Flag campaign, we received over 150 reports from tourists expressing concern for the animals in this small zoo. Held in small, barren concrete-floor cages, surrounded by iron bars, it was no life for any animal.

Thankfully, in 2019 after our long campaign, the zoo shut down and the animals were relocated to sanctuaries and rescue centres. Sandro was taken to Belgium, where he was cared for by our long-term partners at Natuurhulpcentrum (‘Nature help centre’). This world-class wildlife rescue facility offers a ‘halfway house’ for animals in urgent need, as they await lifetime homes, or are prepared to be returned to the wild.

We work closely with Natuurhulpcentrum to this day, and are incredibly grateful to them for taking Sandro in and caring for him, while we found him a suitable home. In 2021, Born Free was able to move Sandro from Belgium to Italy, funded by our ‘Real Tiger King’ appeal. His new home with our wonderful partners, Animanatura Wild Sanctuary was a stark contrast to his years at the zoo.

Born Free supporters then helped raise funds to create a more extensive permanent home for Sandro, with even more space to explore, trees and bushes, climbing platform and a pool. The spacious enclosure offered him so many of the things he had been deprived of during his years at Ayamonte Zoo, and he enjoyed an incredible, enriched life.

Sandro was already 15-years old when he arrived in Italy. Although we don’t fully know what the first years of his life were like, we are privileged to know how happy his final years were. Thanks to our supporters, we were able to ensure Sandro had five peaceful years, in a spacious partly forested enclosure, with the best possible compassionate care.

As he aged, the Animanatura team adapted his enclosure to meet Sandro’s needs. This included ensuring the platform in his night shelter was not too elevated. Sandro liked to sleep off the ground, but the team made sure he could still sleep comfortably, and safely.

“We take comfort in knowing that, together with Animanatura Wild Sanctuary, we were able to provide Sandro with many content years” says Maggie Balakas, Born Free’s Head of Rescue and Care. “He had a lovely life in Italy, and the team ensured his passing was peaceful, pain free and dignified.”

This is all we can ask for, for any animal and we are grateful to Born Free supporters – your donations helped us to provide Sandro with a wonderful home and the best possible care for his final years. Thank you.