Skip to main content

White Tigers Stuck In Aquarium Haven’t Felt The Sun In 12 Years



Four white tigers living in Houston haven’t see the sun for 12 years. These same tigers haven’t been able to feel grass or earth under their feet either. In 2004, the four tigers, who were bred in captivity, sold to an indoor aquarium in Texas. The aquarium is called the Downtown Aquarium and has a second-floor restaurant, and the aquarium is on the first.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK / DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM HOUSTON

The tigers are all between the ages of 12 and 13, their names are Marina, Coral, Reef, and Nero. They live in the “Maharaja’s Temple” attraction.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK / DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM HOUSTON

Inside the exhibit are concrete floors, and their only view of the outside world is through the glass wall that separates them from the visitors.


The indoor exhibit looks more like a movie set than a tiger habitat. When the tigers are not on the exhibit, they are kept in the holding areas in the back and are held in cells, with more concrete and still no windows.

Image Credit: CARNEY ANNE NASSER

Dr. Jennifer Conrad, a veterinarian with the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), stated that the conditions are very dungeon-like and has the potential to harm their psychological and physical health.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK / DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM HOUSTON

She added that it is cruel to confine the naturally roaming and complex carnivores to such a small, artificial, and dark enclosure.

Image Credit: ANIMAL LEAGUE DEFENSE FUND

She was also concerned that there were no enrichment activities for the tigers and no sunshine for them to bask in.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK / DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM HOUSTON

They have spent 12 years living on hard and slippery concrete. The company that owns Downtown Aquarium, Landry’s Inc., was issued a notice of intent to sue for violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on Monday.

Image Credit: CARNEY ANNE NASSER

ALDF will follow through within 60 days if the tigers are not rehomed to more reputable and accredited sanctuaries.

Image Credit: CARNEY ANNE NASSER

The ALDF has even extended the offer to rehome the tigers at no cost. The aquarium is defending itself.

The director of animal husbandry at the aquarium, Jame Prappas, said that the exhibit has skylights and windows that allow sunlight inside.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK / DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM HOUSTON

Additionally, the air system in place meets the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) ventilation and humidity guidelines.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK / DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM HOUSTON

Prappas added that the tigers do get enrichment activities throughout the day and have holding areas that expose them to fresh air.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK / DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM HOUSTON

Animal activists were unimpressed by this update and have been concerned for years about the Downtown Aquarium.


As of now, the lives of these tigers hangs in the balance there are vetted sanctuaries that are ready to take the tigers.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK / DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM HOUSTON

They deserve better. Living with no sunshine, natural vegetation, or place to run and jump or even hide from the public is no way for these beautiful creatures to live.



Sign the petition here or call the aquarium to try and get these tigers a better home soon.

Image Credit: CARNEY ANNE NASSER

Share away, people.
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

“I’m Not Leaving You, Mama!” This is What Love Looks Like.

UPDATE: Lizzie and Phantom are currently recovering in an outdoor koala ward within the  Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital . They’re doing swimmingly; Phantom is both gaining weight and exploring his temporary habitat. And of course, mama and baby are sharing more adorable cuddles! For most species in the animal kingdom, the bond between mother and baby is incredibly strong. That's pretty much inarguable. But last week, two koalas in Australia further proved it. After they were hit by a car, Lizzie and her joey, Phantom were welcomed into the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Six-month-old Phantom had escaped the accident unscathed. Lizzie, however, wasn’t looking so good, what with facial trauma and a collapsed lung. In order to survive, she needed to go under the surgeon’s knife. But this marsupial mama wasn’t alone during the life-saving procedure. Phantom accompanied her and clung to her as she received treatment. The vets let them be; Phantom was too y...
Read more

Stop holding the (2018) Yulin dog meat & lychee festival in Yulin, (Guangxi) China.

This "festival" is an event that starts on June 21st of every year during the summer solstice and it lasts for 10 long horrifying days in which 10,000–15,000 dogs (as well as cats) are tortured and then consumed. However, it is estimated 25 million dogs are stolen, sold, bought, and eaten every year with the illegal dog and cat meat trade. A larger percentage of these dogs consist of pets stolen right from their loving families. The rest of the dogs are captured strays from the streets and some raised in dog farms. After these animals are stolen, bought, or captured they are then transported for days without any food or water, crammed in tiny cages together so tightly that they are unable to even move. At the yulin festival, throughout those days, these animals will be hung, burned, skinned, boiled, torched, dismembered, electrocuted and beaten...ALIVE..out in the streets for public view. But If that isn't bad enough, they intentionally torture these animals in f...
Read more

Dead Sea Turtle Washes Ashore With Horrifying Wake-Up Call For All Humans

Smokey the Bear told us we were responsible for preventing forest fires. Crime dog McGruff helped us take a bite out of crime. Woodsy the Owl told us to “Give a hoot, don’t pollute.” It’s that last one humans seem to have a big problem with. Where a wizened old owl’s advice has fallen short, however, the tragic image of a dead Kemps Ridley sea turtle with a beach chair stuck to its back may prove more compelling. An eye-opening illustration of the damage human pollution has done to our oceans, images of this tangled turtle have been sweeping across the internet, first posted by  Fort Morgan Share the Beach , a local chapter of the Alabama sea turtle protection nonprofit Share the Beach. The story these pictures tell is a dark one which, wildlife advocate or not, is hard to ignore. Source:  Facebook/Fort Morgan Share The Beach The turtle was dead when it washed up onto the shore. “There was a heavy string around the chair that wrapped around the turtle’s neck,”...
Read more