He claimed the animals were safe because they were “domesticated” using specialized training called the “Luján Method”. Cubs were separated from their mothers as soon as they were born and raised alongside domestic dogs to teach them non-aggressive behaviors. Staff handled the animals 24/7 to desensitize them to human touch and noise. The animals were hand-fed so they lacked the predatory instinct to hunt or attack visitors. All this nonsense was repeated by the staff for the benefit of high-end tourists and celebrities coming in from Buenos Aires, just 45 minutes away, to hold a tiger cub. Jorge would also deliver tigers to private residences for petting parties.

It was one of the most profitable tourist attractions in the country generating more than $1 million a year for more than 10 years. Jorge kept costs to a minimum by feeding the cats roadkill and garbage and paying the staff $10 a day even though the petting generated revenue in excess of $50,000 a day.

Animal protection groups criticized the zoo, alleging the big cats had to be drugged to keep them docile around humans. Whistleblowers exposed severe welfare violations, including staff maulings, declawing and lack of vet care and the death of animals from preventable causes.

In the beginning, the big cats were supplied by Texas breeders and then by on-site breeding that continued for 25 years. The big cat population at Luján grew to 200 by 2020. Amid escalating animal welfare complaints and mounting safety concerns, Argentine authorities permanently shut down the Luján Zoo in 2020.

The closure coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, completely halting the facility’s tourism revenue. When the gates closed, the public and the money disappeared, and hundreds of animals were left stranded in their cages. Jorge laid off 70 keepers and refused to pay those who remained.

A small group of former zookeepers who lost their jobs refused to walk away. They voluntarily returned for years, patching cages and pooling resources to barely keep the animals fed. One manager even sold his own cars to buy meat.

Despite the keepers’ efforts, the lack of professional veterinary care and proper food took a brutal toll.

The zoo had 200 big cats when it closed in 2020; by 2023, that number dropped to 112, and by 2025, only 62 lions and tigers survived.

Fortunately, in 2025, the global animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS finally secured an agreement with the Argentine government to step in and take over the site. Veterinarians began treating the survivors for severe malnutrition, infected wounds, and organ failure. Others suffered from dental and kidney disease and complications from declawing and injuries that never healed properly.

When FOUR PAWS arrived in 2023 to assess the zoo, they found animals barely hanging on — seven lions packed into a cage no larger than a bathroom, tigers sharing enclosures with species they’d never encounter in the wild, and bears pacing endlessly on splintered floors. “Overcrowded is an understatement,” said Four Paws’ chief program officer, Luciana D’Abramo. The team performed life-saving surgeries, repairing teeth broken from biting metal bars, and treating wounds long left unattended.

In August 2026, the first phase of the rescue began: 30 lions and tigers were flown out of Argentina to high-standard international sanctuaries. Nine tigers and six lions were flown to LIONSROCK, a FOUR PAWS sanctuary in South Africa that houses more than 80 big cats across natural enclosures sprawling 60 hectares (148 acres). The remaining eight tigers and seven lions traveled to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, a vast refuge on the grasslands northeast of Denver where rescued lions, tigers and other animals roam expansive habitats. The remaining 20+ big cats and two brown bears continue to receive on-site rehabilitation while rescuers search for their permanent sanctuary homes.

The rescue marks one of the largest animal recovery efforts in Argentina’s history and comes with a government pledge to end the sale and private ownership of exotic cats nationwide. This is a very big deal.

We at Tigers in America enjoy a multiyear partnership with FOUR PAWS and would like to thank Luciana for negotiating with the Argentine government for a ban on the ownership, breeding and exhibition of the big cats and were happy to provide financial assistance for this rescue.

The 2026 winner is “New Home” by Emily Urfer.

Jo-Anne had this to say about the winning photo:

I love the action. People helping, the cage tilting, Capone looking out and very alert and engaged. He has been through so much and is about to land on his feet again with the hard work of the folks in the picture, and many others.

The runners up are:

GFAS and Tigers in America thank all the photographers for using your creativity to bring attention to big cats in need and the amazing work of sanctuaries.

These photos along with prior year winners are stored in the Awareness section of our website.

Winner of the 2026 Tigers in America-Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries annual photo and video contest to celebrate International Tiger Day.

Guest judge Jo-Anne McArthur had this to say about the photo:

I love the action. People helping, the cage tilting, Capone looking out and very alert and engaged. He has been through so much and is about to land on his feet again with the hard work of the folks in the picture, and many others.

Runner up in the 2026 Tigers in America-Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries annual photo and video contest to celebrate International Tiger Day.

“In fall 2022, the Secret Garden in Las Vegas was closing after the Mirage’s sale, forcing all animals to be re-homed. The Sarmoti (Siegfried & Roy) Foundation chose WildCat Ridge Sanctuary for lifetime care of some of their tigers, including Maharani.”

Runner up in the 2026 Tigers in America-Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries annual photo and video contest to celebrate International Tiger Day.

“Top Cat was originally part of a breeding pair (with enclosure-mate Millie) at an unaccredited roadside zoo in Ohio. They were surrendered together due to the changing legal regulations that were enacted in the state after the 2011 Zanesville Massacre. They arrived in 2013. Top Cat has been neutered, so there is no chance of accidental pregnancy, in keeping with our no-breeding policy.”

Runner up in the 2026 Tigers in America-Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries annual photo and video contest to celebrate International Tiger Day.

“Kylo Ren was a surprise cub, being born two months after his parents were rescued. Because his mother did not nurse or bond with him, he was raised by sanctuary caretakers. When he was a few months old, he bonded with two other rescued cubs, forming the sanctuary’s famous ‘Jedi Boys.’ This beautiful, loving boy adores nose-diving into his pool, playing on his playground, and leading his brothers into plenty of mischief. Though full of playful energy, he has a deep affection for his human caretakers, frequently greeting them with warm chuffs and fence rubs. Captured here in a rare, quiet moment between naps, his gentle expression reflects a lifetime of safety and the profound trust he shares with those who have loved him since the day he was born.”

Runner up in the 2026 Tigers in America-Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries annual photo and video contest to celebrate International Tiger Day.

“Scout was born in 2014 at a notorious breeding facility in Florida with his brother Atticus. They were pulled from their mother and sold to a roadside zoo. There they were used as photo cubs for the first 12 weeks of their lives.”

Runner up in the 2026 Tigers in America-Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries annual photo and video contest to celebrate International Tiger Day.

“Rescued as a rowdy, distrustful five-month-old from a facility that couldn’t match his high-energy needs, Anakin found the companionship and guidance he craved when he was introduced to Kylo Ren and Kenobi to form the legendary ‘Jedi Boys’. Once he learned to trust his caretakers, this adventurous, warmhearted ‘rebel’ truly blossomed. Today, he is a rambunctious boy who disrupts the ‘force’ by tearing across his playground, tackling blue barrels, and diving headfirst into his pool. As the most intensely food-motivated of the trio, his focus is legendary—a trait captured perfectly here as he locks eyes with the camera, fiercely claiming a massive block of ice to conquer a relentless, hot Texas afternoon.”

Finalist in the 2026 Tigers in America-Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries annual photo and video contest to celebrate International Tiger Day.

Finalist in the 2026 Tigers in America-Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries annual photo and video contest to celebrate International Tiger Day.

“Griffen is a male Bengal tiger who arrived at The Wildcat Sanctuary in 2016.

“He and his two brothers, Zeke and Dimitri, along with their aunt Pandora, were part of what was called ‘the largest rescue of big cats in U.S. history.’ They came from a notorious speed breeding, pay-to-play facility in Colorado that had been shut down.”