Zeus

Male Tiger Born 9/1/96 Arrived 5/28/14  Died 6/5/18

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According to JnK volunteers, Zeus was the son of the original female tiger, Kimba. He was bred back to his mother to create the other nine tigers, including Keisha. This is commonly done on purpose to create white tigers, which are the result of severe inbreeding.

Zeus suffered from an eye injury that would later be diagnosed as a luxated lens. He had been this way for over a year and never received any treatment. Because Zeus was so malnourished upon his arrival we could not perform surgery until he had gained some weight and his overall health stabilized.

https://youtu.be/UvaPjse1z24

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Make sure Zeus Tiger never goes hungry again here:  https://big-cat-rescue.myshopify.com/collections/sponsor-a-cat

 

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After months of specially prepared diets Zeus was finally in a healthy enough state to sedate. An eye specialist examined his eye and discovered that what we thought was his good eye actually had very bad cataracts that limited his vision in that eye tremendously.

The eye with the luxated lens had more vision, but also had an ulcer on the surface. The decision was made to repair the ulcer and see if that was the cause of his pain. If his eye continues to be a source of discomfort it will be removed which will essentially blind him.

While Zeus’ underwent this eye surgery he was also neutered with the hopes that he and Keisha can live with one another. They both seem very interested in the other and pine for each other at the sides of their enclosures.

Zeus and Keisha Tiger Vacation Together

https://youtu.be/097u3RKW9Ks

The romance didn't last long.  Keisha is just too playful and pounce-y and just scared Zeus half to death so much of the time that we had to separate them.  They live close to each other, but have their own space to live in peace.

Zeus the tiger  was born at a pseudo sanctuary in Sinclairville, NY called JnK's Call of the Wild in 1996.

He was saved by Big Cat Rescue in May 2014  when the NY state attorney’s office decided to send a message to all of the backyard breeders, dealers and pseudo sanctuaries that they would no longer turn a blind eye to the danger that these facilities pose to the public and launched the biggest seizure of wild animals in New York’s history.

Most states ban the private possession of lions and tigers, but exempt anyone with a USDA license.  That license is far too easy to get and nearly impossible to have revoked, but conditions were so bad at Zeus' former home that the license had been cancelled and it took the combined efforts of IFAW and a number of sanctuaries to place all of the big cats, bears and wolves.

The day he was rescued, after months of starving, Zeus RAN down the length of his cage, chasing Big Cat Rescue’s Operations Manager, who was racing (outside the cage) toward the beast wagon with a piece of meat. He would do anything for just a morsel of food, so loading him took no time at all.  Zeus was less than half the weight he should have been and his coat was ragged from the poor diet and filthy conditions.

As soon as Zeus arrived at Big Cat Rescue he knew he had found paradise.  While the other tigers were being unloaded at the sanctuary, Zeus checked out his pool, all of the space, toys and great napping spots.  He has been ever so grateful to his keepers and a joy to be around.  It is because of people like you that Zeus will never go hungry again.

Read about the rescue and watch the videos here:  https://bigcatrescue.org/jnk/

 

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When Big Cat Rescue saved Zeus the tiger from starving to death at a backyard zoo a few months ago, we knew that he would need a lot of vet care to bring him back to health, but first we had to fatten him up enough that he would survive the surgeries.  Today we neutered him and began the process to try and save whatever vision he has left.  We are forever grateful to YOU, our viewers, and our wonderful vet team, including Dr. Tammy Miller, Dr. Liz Wynn, Dr. Justin Boorstein, Dr. Petterson & crew.

Zeus Goes on Vacation!

Thank you everyone who make these kinds of days possible.

Zeus Tiger Emergency Eye Removal 9/16/17

https://youtu.be/iTSBGxbpHlI

 

I was looking through some footage we hadn't shared yet of Zeus Tiger being fed. He's declined a lot in the past few months. This was filmed in Feb. 2018 and now, just 2 months later, he's having a lot less good days. It makes us sad to know that at the age of 21 he may not be with us much longer.

It is with a heavy heart and through tears, we announce after a long decline, Zeus Tiger let us know he was ready to re-join his momma, Kimba, and all those other great tigers who have passed on before him.