Sandro’s new home thanks to you
29 June 2022
SANDRO’S NEW HOME THANKS TO YOU
Born Free has helped create a purpose-built enclosure for this rescued tiger, at his sanctuary in Italy, thanks to supporters’ kind donations.
Do you remember Sandro, the stunning 15-year-old tiger, rescued from a rundown Spanish zoo, which closed in 2019 after Born Free’s 16-year campaign? With your help, we moved Sandro to a new home at Animanatura Wild Sanctuary in northern Italy last April. Here, in this tranquil space in the Tuscan hills surrounded by birdsong, he quickly settled into his spacious, but temporary, grassy enclosure.
But, this was just the beginning of Sandro’s enriched new life. In July 2021, Born Free launched a Tigers in Crisis appeal to raise funds for his care and create him a permanent, purpose-built home and Sandro has now moved into the glorious, vast, 3,000 squared metres space.
“On a hilly area overlooking the Argentario Sea, Sandro can enjoy a shady oak tree area, including tree trunks scattered on the ground perfect for him to sharpen his claws on and even has one ancient oak log – centuries old – for climbing,” explains a delighted Andrea Donaldson, Born Free’s acting Head of Rescue & Care.
“He has an artificial lake with different levels of water where he can swim and an internal shelter zone with wooden platform beds. The enclosure is surrounded by a stand-off barrier, with shrubs and trees to minimise stress and maximise privacy for this wonderful tiger.”
It is remarkable to see how Sandro is enjoying his enhanced new life. What a contrast to his former years of deprivation at Ayamonte Zoo. But that’s not all. Since Sandro’s temporary enclosure has been freed up, this has meant Simba the young lion cub could move in, and Born Free transported him from his halfway house at Natuurehulpcentrum in Belgium a few days ago. Now you can find out how he is settling in, as we fundraise to build HIM the permanent, purpose-built home he deserves!