A baby tiger that was smuggled into the United States from Mexico by a teenager is now safe and doing well at the San Diego Zoo.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized a small male Bengal tiger cub early Wednesday morning when 18-year-old Luis Eudoro Valencia attempted to smuggle the animal into the country in his car. The teen says he bought the tiger for $300 on the streets of Tijuana from a man who was walking an adult tiger on a leash.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service took over the cub from customs, and it was then passed off to the zoo.
In a post on its website, the zoo says the cub is in good health. Veterinarian Dr. Jim Oosterhuis estimates the cub to be about 5 to 6 weeks old, weighing in at just over 6 pounds.
Guests of the zoo hoping to catch a glimpse of the new arrival may be able to spot him in a nursery window at the Safari Park. The zoo says it will continue to care for the animal until a permanent home can be found.
Here's to hoping the Cincinnati Zoo will step up to the task, home of world's most important animal, Fiona the Hippo.
Topics Animals
