Born
October 23, 2008
Rescued
October 24, 2014
Died
December 21, 2024
Tasha’s Story
In 2014, Carolina Tiger Rescue was one of four rescue organizations that coordinated a joint rescue effort and helped give homes to the over fifteen lions, tigers, bears, and wolves housed in a private home in Alabama. Carolina Tiger Rescue took in Madonna and Tears Tiger in August. Unfortunately, three animals had to be left behind – two tigers and a grizzly bear. The previous owner was reluctant to relinquish the last of her animals and, while we tried desperately to place them, no reputable facility in the United States had any room. We began to build additional enclosures in the hopes that we might be able to provide them a home once they were complete. About a month later, we received urgent news from the rescue organization that had taken in the wolves – they had returned to rescue the grizzly bear and found that conditions at the facility had become dire. They offered to transport the last of the animals, two female tigers, to their facility but had no room to keep them. There was nowhere for them to go. Only two days after hearing this devastating news, Carolina Tiger Rescue staff arrived to pick up the two tigers, named Tasha and Leah. A day later, staff returned home and unloaded the new tigers into quarantine and rushed to finish their new enclosures.
Tasha took a little bit to settle into sanctuary life, but she eventually became the tiger the most chuffles to share. Tasha moved all over the sanctuary as the keepers tried to find the best spot for her. She was shy with groups, but loved individual visitors. She seemed to prefer a quieter life, where she could bask in the sun without having to see tour guests. Tasha was a beautiful tiger with a big ruff and round eyes.
Tasha’s Passing
January 2, 2025
Dear Carolina Tiger Rescue Family,
Just before the holidays, we suffered a loss, that while expected, was still a tough goodbye for all of us. Earlier last year we found mammary tumors on Tasha Tiger. We were able to remove the tumors but knew that it was likely that she had metastasis elsewhere in her body. Palliative care was started and for many months, she did great and was her normal happy self. Recently, her abdomen became distended, and wounds began developing on her hind legs. She started to have a hard time keeping her back legs under her and was dropping off one of her ankles. We treated her pain and inflammation and kept her on antibiotics to prevent infection but knew that it was time to say goodbye.
Tasha was an incredibly spirited tiger. Some people only knew the very chuffly and excitable Tasha – the tiger that never hesitated to come up to say hello. Others knew the Tasha that was a bit possessive over her water dish and wasn’t afraid to remind you of that fact. Tasha was a mercurial tiger given her appreciation for having people come by but also not liking crowds. Her ideal space in the sanctuary was towards to back of the sanctuary, but not too far back! When in her element, she was curious and easily entertained with enrichment. I think it’s safe to say that Tasha has been in our top three tigers for chuffling, often starting before you even laid eyes on her.
This loss is just as hard as any loss, even though we knew we were living on borrowed time. We don’t always have this kind of time to prepare, but that time allowed us to spoil Tasha and gave people who loved her a chance to say goodbye. While her body had failed, her spirit had not. Tasha was her same welcoming self, greeting everyone who had come to visit her.
I know that it is never easy to get this type of news. Sadly, this is a part of the cycle of rescue. I’m proud of the work our team has done to rescue and care for Tasha and our many other residents. I am also proud of their ability to come together to care for our animals in their final moments. Finally, I’m proud that we can offer animals a safe place to live their lives, however long that may be, with care and respect.
With a heavy heart,
Kathryn Bertok, Assistant Director