DADADEL
Wild animals have no place in circuses—a message that cannot be repeated enough. Aasha, a Bengal tiger, is another tragic example of this mistreatment. Luckily, her story has a happy ending, thanks to a dedicated animal rescue organization.
In 2011, Aasha was rescued from a traveling circus. At just nine months old, she had spent her entire life caged with a more aggressive tiger. The stress and neglect caused her fur to fall out, her skin to develop severe infections, and her growth to be stunted—she weighed as little as a three-month-old tiger.
Upon her rescue, Aasha was entrusted to In-Sync Exotics, an organization specializing in the care and rehabilitation of wild cats that have been abused or neglected in captivity.
“I administered Aasha’s medication daily and spent time with her twice a day,” Vicky Keahey from In-Sync Exotics shared with The Dodo. Vicky had to give the reluctant tiger special medical baths, which meant chasing Aasha around her enclosure before getting her into the water.
After eight weeks of consistent care, Aasha’s fur began to grow back, and her attitude toward the baths changed—she even started enjoying them. When her treatments were no longer needed, Vicky continued to give her baths, turning them into playtime for Aasha, who loved the water.
Over time, Aasha grew stronger and healthier. She eventually became too large for Vicky to join her inside the enclosure, but they continued to play together through the cage.
After eight months, Aasha was fully recovered, and her caretakers wanted to see how she would interact with other tigers. They introduced her to Smuggler, a male tiger who had been seeking companionship. By placing their cages next to each other, the staff could monitor their interactions, and it was clear Smuggler was smitten from the start.
Though Smuggler was three times Aasha’s size, the two tigers got along wonderfully. After several supervised visits, they were moved in together permanently. Aasha was overjoyed with her new friend.
It’s now been five years since Aasha and Smuggler became a bonded pair. Today, Aasha is a healthy, playful adult tiger who loves to swim. While she will never return to the wild due to her upbringing in captivity, she has a safe, happy life ahead of her—one far removed from the horrors of circus life.
