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.

Our beloved, boisterous, and naughty leader of the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary Spice Girls, Jade, is in hospital. Jade bounced straight into her travel crate, seemed content throughout the journey and is now settled in Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic. Dr Caldwell is checking out the cause of her limp and taking the opportunity to assess her spondylosis – which she, her sister Luna and Ruben all have. This was cause by malnutrition in the circus and causes her to have a goose-stepping walk. We are all hoping the limp is just down to over-zealous play and our very own Tigger will be bouncing around her habitat again soon.