“There are an estimated 1,600 captive tigers in Europe, 10,000 in the US, and 1,500 in South Africa, while only around 3,900 are left in the wild. Tiger King may offer viewers a 'shock-watch' entertainment show but a look behind the scenes reveals animal abuse and an international network of breeding, trade and exploitation of tigers, lions and other big cats. Once the animals lose their commercial value, they are often killed and their body parts, skin and bones are sold for use in traditional medicine or jewellery.

Tiger King is set in the US, but the situation is also out of control in Europe and most parts of the world. The private keeping as exotic pets and the use of tigers in circuses is still legal in a number of EU countries, and the commercial trade of big cats is poorly regulated and monitored. Easy access to purchase a tiger and inadequate keeping requirements in countries where private keeping is still legal makes a lucrative business for breeders and traders: A live tiger captive-bred in Europe can reportedly be worth up to €5,000 / $7,735 AUD, while a dead tiger can go up to €22,000 / $34,036 AUD.

Only a ban on the commercial trade of live big cats and their body parts can put an end to this cruelty. FOUR PAWS is working to protect all big cats by influencing legislation in key trade hot spots like Europe and South Africa and offering a permanent home for rescued big cats in our sanctuaries.

We urge viewers of Tiger King to fully understand that for the animals trapped behind bars, it is a lifetime of suffering.”

Vanessa Amoroso, Head of Wild Animals in Trade at FOUR PAWS