Big cat sanctuary celebrates anniversary of ‘Train Tigers’ rescue

LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary is preparing to celebrate the four-year anniversary of a momentous Bengal tiger rescue mission.

Mar 7, 2026 - 09:00
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Big cat sanctuary celebrates anniversary of ‘Train Tigers’ rescue

A Bethlehem, Free State-based big cat sanctuary will be celebrating the four-year anniversary of a momentous tiger rescue mission.

In March 2022, LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary – operated by international animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS – co-ordinated the rescue of four abandoned tigers in South America, bringing them to South Africa.

Four years later, where are these tigers now? Let’s take a look:

‘TAIL’ OF THE TRAIN TIGERS

“Train Tigers” is the name given to a group of Bengal tigers – consisting of Sandro and Mafalda and their two sons, Messi and Gustavo – who formerly belonged to a travelling circus.

As such, these big cats were confined to a train carriage measuring a measly 75m².

Even more cruelly, in 2021, they were abandoned in Luis, Argentina by their owners. Left to rot inside a squalid carriage that had caged them virtually all their lives, survival seemed impossible. 

Fortunately, they were soon discovered and removed from the carriage. On 12 March 2022, FOUR PAWS stepped in to transport the Train Tigers from South America to their new forever home: South Africa’s LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

According to LIONSROCK, “the tigers were placed into enclosures designed to meet their physical and behavioural needs.”

Sandro, who was 18 years old at the time, was soon relocated to the Tiger Special Care Unit for medical treatment, monitoring and support due to his extremely fragile physical health.

Although Mafalda, Messi and Gustavo enjoyed their freedoms, they were all afflicted with kidney disease – undoubtedly a result of their prolonged neglect.

Ultimately, Mafalda passed away in July 2024. Messi’s death followed five months later, while brother Gustavo died in July 2025. Sandro is the only surviving Train Tiger left.

A TIGER’S MIGHT

Now 21, Sandro suffers from impaired vision, arthritis in both elbows and mobility complications related to declawing. Nevertheless, he is said to be “engaged and active” in his twilight years and is receiving the best care possible.

For LIONSROCK, it’s a testament to these big cats’ resilience in the face of human brutality.

“Sandro’s resilience is extraordinary. Despite everything he endured, he continues to thrive under our care,” said Hildegard Pirker, Sanctuary Manager at LIONSROCK, at the time of their arrival in Mzansi. “These animals are so resilient.”

Indeed, they are. And we can only hope that their kind, among other animals, will continue to survive and thrive for years to come.

For more information about LIONSROCK’s mission, visit their website at www.lionsrock.org.

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