Camilla Tiger
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Born
June 26, 2009
Rescued
June 26, 2012
Passed away
September 29, 2022
Camilla’s Story
Camilla, previously called China, arrived at Carolina Tiger Rescue with Roscoe Tiger, Nakobi and Jericho Cougar, and Roman and Reina Lion on June 26, 2012. She originally came from a small zoo in New York that closed down and was then taken in by Rescue One, an Ohio sanctuary. However, Rescue One was later forced to close its doors due to financial hardship and their inability to meet new legal regulations. Ohio had toughened their laws regarding exotic pet ownership following an incident in Zanesville, Ohio in 2011. A private owner released 56 of his lions, tigers, cougars, wolves, leopards, and bears before committing suicide. Unfortunately, law enforcement was forced to shoot the animals due to concerns for public safety. The following year, Ohio banned private ownership of dangerous wild animals.
Camilla was a gorgeous and charismatic tiger who loved attention. She could often be seen lying gracefully in the sun and running up to the fence to “chuffle” at visitors. Camilla lived with Roscoe Tiger and the two of them could often be found playing together in the early mornings. They stalked and chasde each other before batting at one another like a pair of playful cubs. Camilla enjoyed tasty enrichment like “bloodsicles” (frozen blood popsicles) in the summer or chasing various decoys around her enclosure. As she slowed down, she enjoyed sitting by the fence and visiting with her favorite people or curling up on the hammock with Roscoe.
Camilla’s Passing
October 7, 2022 from Kathryn Bertok, Assistant Director
The animal care staff has been monitoring and treating Camilla Tiger for arthritis for a number of years. This past spring, she had a difficult shed that resulted in a skin infection that was successfully treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately, things like a poor shed are often indicators that there is something more serious going on. We started her on medications to support her gut and skin health and monitored her for any other changes in her health.
A few weeks ago, her condition declined, and we anesthetized her to complete a full physical. We found her to be dehydrated and constipated and battling an infected toe. We gave her fluids, an enema, and medications to hopefully make her feel better quickly. During the following days, she had days that she seemed to feel better, but never truly recovered completely. She then had a rapid decline that included uncontrollable seizure activity and the decision was made to let her go.
Camilla’s personality was a beautiful juxtaposition to her enclosure-mate, Roscoe. While Roscoe is sometimes a bit nervous and worries about change, Camilla was always laid back and easy going. The two of them could often be found romping around their enclosure and chasing back and forth. Even as she got a bit older, she never lost her charismatic ways and would always be up to share a chuffle or two. You could often find her napping in her firehose hammock or in a sunny patch at the bottom of her enclosure. She loved enrichment and would happily tear apart an enrichment box.
Camilla, as well as Roscoe Tiger, Roman and Reina Lion, and Nakobi and Jericho Cougar, came to Carolina Tiger Rescue after a facility was forced to close due to financial hardship and the inability to meet the new legal regulations that went into effect in Ohio after the Zanesville tragedy of 2011. The loss of life in Zanesville was incredibly tragic and we felt fortunate to be able to offer Camilla and friends a place to call home. All six of them have left an indelible mark on the staff, volunteers, and adoptive parents that cared for these animals for the past ten years. The staff will continue to keep watch over Roscoe as he makes the transition to living alone. Thankfully, he has the dedicated attention of Keeper LA, who has helped train him through operant conditioning to know that life isn’t always that scary.
I know that these past few months have been difficult for everyone. Not only has there been loss as the rescue, but we continue to face difficult and uncertain times in our community and the world. I am thankful that I am so fortunate to work with this amazing group of people. Not only do they rally when times are tough, they are there to celebrate the wins and to soften the blow of the losses. I simply couldn’t ask for a better team and you should be equally proud to be part of the Carolina Tiger Rescue family.
