After two tigers escape in Friesland, how many big cats are living in the Netherlands?

Photo: Stichting Vier Voeters via Twitter
Photo: Stichting Vier Voeters via Twitter

The news that two tigers had escaped from an animal shelter in Friesland at the weekend has given rise to questions about how many big cats are actually in the country.

Residents living close to the centre outside the village of Nijeberkoop were warned to stay indoors for several hours on Saturday as police tracked the animals, named as Radjah and Dehli, using a helicopter. According to the Telegraaf, the Bengal tigers got out of their enclosure after a gate was accidently left open.

The cats did not leave the area where the shelter is located because it is surrounded by a high fence, Dutch media said. They were eventually tranquilised and returned to their enclosure.

The surprise escape and media furore led broadcaster NOS to look into how many other tigers are living in the Netherlands.

Europe

The Felida centre takes in big cats and other animals from circuses and zoos, or which have been confiscated from their owners all over Europe. The two escapee tigers, for example, came from a private zoo in Germany.

The centre works to rehabilitate the animals and move those which are able to travel to a larger shelter named Lionsrock in South Africa. The centre, which is part of international charity Four Paws, is currently home to some 50 animals, including some six tigers.

Another animal charity similar to the Felida centre is located in the Noord-Holland village of Anna Paulowna. ‘The Leeuw foundation has 29 big cats, including lions, lynxes, panthers and a puma,’ spokeswoman Daphne Pels told the broadcaster. Most are former circus animals but some have come from private owners.

Zoos

Several Dutch zoos still keep big cats, including Burger’s Zoo in Arnhem and Blijdorp in Rotterdam. But Amsterdam’s Artis and the new look Dierenpark Emmen no longer have tigers, the broadcaster said.

It did not say if any tigers are in private zoos. Tigers can be kept privately in the Netherlands, as long as they were born in captivity and are properly licenced.

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