Asha, a nine-month-old Bengal tiger, weighed only about 30 pounds, a size more typical of a three-month-old cub.
Her shocking condition was discovered by Vicki Keahey of In-Sync Exotics, a rescue center for big cats.
Keahey’s investigation revealed Asha’s heartbreaking past: she had been part of a traveling circus, where she was housed with a much larger tiger who tormented her.
Asha’s tiny body was covered in bald spots, and her skin was dry, cracked, and bleeding. A trip to the veterinarian confirmed she was suffering from ringworm and had numerous open wounds, which Keahey suspected were from the larger tiger.
The cub was taken to an isolated enclosure at In-Sync Exotics to begin her long road to recovery.
Keahey dedicated herself to Asha’s care, giving her the treatments and attention she needed to heal. As Asha’s health improved, so did her spirit.
She even developed a love for water, something Keahey believes she was once afraid of. Keahey would provide a small tub for Asha to splash in and would even playfully spray her with a hose.
Within eight months, Asha’s transformation was remarkable. She had grown into a healthy, confident tiger. The team at In-Sync Exotics decided it was time to introduce her to another tiger to see how she would react.
They chose Smuggler, a male tiger three times her size, who immediately took a liking to her.
Keahey saw a connection between the two tigers and believed Asha could hold her own with the larger male. They began a “dating” process, with supervised playdates that allowed them to get to know each other.
Eventually, Asha and Smuggler were moved into the same enclosure, where they continue to thrive together.
Today, Asha, though still half Smuggler’s size, is a confident and playful adult tiger. Her journey from a sickly, neglected cub to a vibrant, happy tiger with a partner is a powerful testament to the healing power of love and a second chance.
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