Tiger rescued by Uppingham businessman starts new life in big cats' sanctuary in US

By AlanThompson  |  Posted: December 17, 2014

Phevos takes a cat-nap during his mammoth journey

An Uppingham businessman has completed a 12,000-mile, 10-day mission to re-home a tiger from a Greek zoo in a purpose-built sanctuary for big cats in the US. David Barnes first came across Phevos in 2001 when he helped place him with Athena, a female companion in a zoo in Trikala after the Greek authorities seized the two tigers from a travelling Italian circus. But following Greece’s financial crisis, the condition of the zoo deteriorated and in March this year, following Athena’s death after an untreated wound became infected, Phevos was left alone in his enclosure.

David, 62, raised £12,500 through donations - including £1,000 from animal welfare campaigns supporter Joanna Lumley - to fly Phevos, a 15-year-old, 570lb tiger to the Lions, Tigers and Bear Sanctuary in Alpine, near San Diego. Mr Barnes, who used to work for the Animal Welfare Fund in Greece, has re-homed dozens of exotic animals in the past 20 years.

Back at work at Uppingham Sports and Books yesterday(16) he said:“Everything went well and he’s settled in really well, they love him to bits, he’s so placid. “He has to go into quarantine for 30 days when vets will carry out a series of checks, including X-rays to see if there is anything they can do for his hip dysplasia. “He’s a big tiger, the biggest they’ve got, he’s just so laid back, they can’t believe it.” He added:“When we arrived at the airport there were television cameras and reporters and a lorry on the tarmac. British Airways were fantastic and as a memento they gave me a drawing of a tiger’s head signed by all the crew. He’s eating well - 30lbs of meat at a time, he’s been eating chicken, turkey and beef. He had two whole chickens and a turkey for a snack yesterday. His enclosure is being finished, it looks great, it has under-floor heating, a pool, everything.”

He added: “Phevos is the latest in a long line of animals I’ve moved - he just happens to be the biggest one. It’s fantastic he’s over there, it’s hard to believe it’s done and dusted and he’s there. I’m planning to go out again next year, I’d love to go and see him in his proper enclosure. There is no doubt in my minds it’s the best thing that ever happened to him.”

David has now launched a second fund raising page to rescue other animals in need. He added: “The sad story of Phevos and the tragic death of his mate Athena is now coming to a happy end as he starts a new life, but there are still many other exotic animals in dire situations that need help. “I have three others at the same Greek zoo that need to come out. Monkeys are still being kept in cramped and unsuitable conditions and a vet friend in Thessaloniki is struggling to save injured dolphins, seals and turtles.”

www.justgiving.com/yimby/rescuingexotics

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