LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Seven tigers seized from a Nye County resident’s backyard in April are doing well at their new home at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas.
The tigers were taken from Karl Mitchell, who kept them on his Pahrump property without proper permits, according to Nye County officials. Several law enforcement officers and refuge workers worked together to safely transport the animals to their new home.
Tigers adjusting to new environment
Tanya Smith, founder of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, said the tigers needed time to adjust to their new surroundings and will require special care for the rest of their lives.
“They are enjoying their areas. We are seeing a lot of playful tendencies from them, each one of them has their own personalities‚ so it’s taken a lot to get to know each one of them,” Smith said.
Some of the tigers are suffering from metabolic bone disease due to improper diet during their time as backyard animals, Smith said.
“Metabolic bone disease is something we are seeing in these cats because they weren’t fed a proper diet, that’s what we see a lot in backyard pets, but they are predators, not pets,” Smith said.
Mitchell, who owned the tigers for seven years, was arrested for resisting an officer during the April seizure operation. He violated county ordinances and special condition permit requirements, according to the Nye County Sheriff’s Office.
MORE: Pahrump man claimed tigers were service animals, court documents reveal
FOX5 spoke with Mitchell Wednesday and said he is still fighting to get the tigers back.
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