A Bengal tiger named Aasha has been given a new lease on life and a new husband to travel with her after enduring horrifying neglect and revolting mistreatment.
Aasha the tiny tiger was the size of a 3-month-old cub at 9 months old and weighed only 30 pounds. She was also in a bad way; parts of her skin were damaged and bleeding, and some of her fur had fallen off.
A US Department of Agriculture inspector approached Vicky Keahey, owner of Texas’s In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Centre, after learning about Aasha’s predicament. Aasha’s condition was disclosed to Keahey by the inspector, who hoped to be able to place her in Keahey’s custody.
The moment had come to observe Aasha’s behaviour around other tigers once she had recovered to normal. Smuggler, a large man, was placed next to her, and he soon developed feelings for the little tigress.
The In-Sync rescue team could see the chemistry between Smuggler and Aasha. However, the staff oversaw a “dating” phase so the tigers could get to know one another in order to make sure that Smuggler wouldn’t ultimately hurt her. They soon found themselves sharing a pen.
The couple has been happily living together for four years, and their romance is still going strong.
