- 60 Minutes covers daring animal rescue mission relocating animals from Puerto Rico to mainland US
- The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado rescues tigers from Joe Exotic’s operation, giving them freedom to exhibit natural behaviors
- Tigers at sanctuary show improved physical condition, highlighting the positive impact of the rescue missions on their quality of life
Additional Coverage:
- Life after “Tiger King” for Joe Exotic’s rescued tigers (cbsnews.com)
On a recent episode of 60 Minutes, reporter Jon Wertheim and his team covered a daring rescue mission to relocate a zoo full of animals from Puerto Rico to animal sanctuaries in the mainland United States. The operation was led by Pat Craig, the founder of The Wild Animal Sanctuary, who has become well-known for his involvement in high-stakes animal rescues around the world, including cases involving the U.S. government. One notable operation in 2021 involved retrieving big cats from Joe Exotic, the infamous “Tiger King” from the popular Netflix series, and his associate Jeff Lowe.
Wertheim and the 60 Minutes team visited The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, where they met tigers that had been rescued from Joe Exotic’s operation. Craig explained that many of the tigers had been confined to small cages and could only take a few steps before reaching the bars and having to turn around. Upon their arrival at the sanctuary, they displayed signs of being underfed, with visible backbones and ribs.
Craig emphasized that being trapped in a cage prevented the tigers from behaving naturally. At the sanctuary, they were given the opportunity to learn how to be a tiger, engaging in activities such as running, chasing, stalking, and hiding in tall grass. The wide-open spaces allowed the tigers to sprint at full speed, reaching up to 30 or 40 miles per hour. This exercise helped them develop the muscle tone they would have in the wild.
One of Joe Exotic’s tigers, which initially weighed less than 400 pounds, is now 600 pounds and shows visible muscle tone on its arms. Craig highlighted that the tiger’s improved physical condition is a testament to their newfound freedom and the ability to live a longer, healthier life.
The Wild Animal Sanctuary’s efforts to provide rescued animals with a better quality of life continue to make a significant impact. Through these rescue missions, animals are given the opportunity to thrive and exhibit natural behaviors that were previously suppressed by captivity.
Read More About This Story:
- Life after “Tiger King” for Joe Exotic’s rescued tigers (cbsnews.com)