A tiger that lived for years in a circus in Portugal was recently transferred to Spain, after the end of the transitional period of legislation that prohibited the use of wild animals in this type of show. The case marks a change in the fate of these animals and raises questions about their future outside the circus context.
According to the news agency, the animal, known as Sona, is now in a big cat sanctuary in Alicante, where it remains in quarantine. This period precedes your integration into a space where you will be able, for the first time, to move around outside a cage.
Portugal banned wild animals in circuses
According to the same source, the ban on the use of wild animals in circuses was approved in Portugal in 2019, but included an adaptation period of six years. This deadline ended at the end of 2025, forcing the owners of these animals to find solutions for their disposal.
With the end of this period, the tiger’s former owners contacted entities linked to animal protection. The objective was to organize the transfer of the animal to a structure suited to the new legal requirements.
Sona was transferred to Alicante
It is worth mentioning that the process was developed in collaboration between the AAP Foundation and the Pangea Trust, which had been following the case for several years. This articulation made it possible to carry out the rescue and guarantee transport to Spain.
According to the same source, Sona was taken to the Primadomus center, located in the Alicante region. This space is prepared to welcome big cats and guarantee conditions adapted to the needs of these species.
Spent 16 years in a cage
He mentions from the same source that the tiger lived for about 16 years in a circus context, spending much of its time in a truck trailer. The animal only had a small external cage, being moved mainly between transport and the show location. For many years it was used in magic tricks in Portugal.
Lusa adds that, after the quarantine period, the tiger will be integrated into the sanctuary, where it will be able to move in broader conditions. This change represents a significant change compared to the context in which he lived for much of his life.
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