Raja and Natasha

Raja and Natasha came to Lions Tigers & Bears from Texas in September 2002. Their owner had kept both of these full-grown Bengal Tigers in an exposed 6′ × 12′ cage where they had to step over each other just to turn around. The owner was unwilling to provide adequate care for the tigers or allow authorities to find them a home in a true sanctuary.

After months of persuasion, the owner finally agreed to allow Raja and Natasha to be relocated to LTB, at which point the authorities gave the sanctuary one month to prepare for their arrival. It was a marathon effort to raise the money necessary to build a suitable enclosure, construct a new home for Raja and Natasha, obtain all the necessary permits, and transport both tigers from Texas to southern California.

It is hard to imagine the difference their new home has made to Raja and Natasha—from a cage smaller than a parking space to grass, dens, shade and a pool to enjoy on hot summer days.