Playful Jade – one of the tigers we rescued from a circus in Guatemala – is back at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary after a short stay at Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic and the first thing she did was rub noses with sister Luna. In hospital, Jade was thoroughly examined, including x-rays, after she was seen limping and Dr Caldwell took the opportunity to examine the problem in this family due to inbreeding and malnutrition. For Jade (and sister Luna), the malformed skull and spine connection pinches the spinal nerve, and shows as a “goose step” walk, whereas in the older females, it has caused seizures. The cause of her limp was a cut on her paw, almost certainly due to overzealous play – her followers will know what a very boisterous and noisy group our Spice Girls are! It was not infected and she is now back to her normal self and is already back out in the main habitat with Luna, Sun and Moon.

Jade was rescued along with 20 other tigers and lions during ADI’s Operation Liberty enforcing Guatemala’s ban on wild animals in circuses. To help rescues like this and care for animals like Jade at ADIWS, donate here.