Tiger cub rescued in KZN moved to Pretoria Zoo

A tiger cub that was found in a home as a pet in Chase Valley in Pietermaritzburg has now been moved to the Pretoria Zoo.

The tiger cub was being illegally kept in an enclosure at a property in Northern Park, Chase Valley, Ezemvelo spokesperson Musa Mntambo confirmed.

He said that Ezemvelo’s Pietermaritzburg (PMB) Honorary Officers visited the property to investigate the matter after they received reports of the tiger spotted in the backyard.

“In collaboration with the SAPS Stock Theft Unit and the SPCA, Ezemvelo Wildlife officials visited the property to investigate. Upon arrival, they found a male tiger, estimated to be between four to six months old. The animal was immediately confiscated,” he said.

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Mntambo said that the tiger was taken to the Free Me Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for temporary care and rehabilitation before being transported to Pretoria.

After securing the required permits, it was transported to the Pretoria Zoo on Thursday, where it will receive specialized care and long-term accommodation.

“A case of illegal possession of the tiger has been opened at Townhill SAPS. The charges fall under sections 79, 80, and 81 of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance, as well as section 65 (clauses 1 and 2) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA),” he said.

Mntambo said that Ezemvelo is committed to the enforcement of wildlife regulations and continues to work with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that such incidents are addressed swiftly and effectively.

According to, FreeMe Wildlife, the cub is under the direct protection of the highest conservation body in this country, the DFFE (Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment), and is being kept at the highest security facility under their control, the Pretoria Zoological Gardens.

“While this cub remains evidence in an ongoing court case, it must remain in the custody of the DFFE and cannot, for its own safety, be released to a private sanctuary. The future of the cub will only be decided once the outcome of the court case is final.”

FreeMe Wildlife added that it would not support the rescue of an animal from the illegal wildlife trade only to see it become part of it again.