Man charged with smuggling tiger cub into US

[Stuart G]

an older story, but worth a look...picture of tiger cub at link

http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/25/us/tiger-cub-smuggle-attempt/index.html
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(CNN) — A California man has been charged with smuggling a Bengal tiger cub into the United States from Mexico. He told investigators he wanted to keep the tiger as a pet, the United States Attorney's Office said.

Under federal law, all species of tigers -- including Bengal tigers -- are endangered species. A Fish and Wildlife Service permit is required to import any species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Luis Eudoro Valencia, 18, of Perris, California, told federal authorities he bought the tiger cub on August 21 for $300 from a man he saw on a Tijuana street walking a full-size tiger on a leash.

But Valencia didn't have the required permit and failed to declare the tiger with Customs and Border Protection officers when he drove across the border into San Diego, California two days later, the US Attorney's Office said.

Valencia was also charged Wednesday with importing an endangered species without a permit
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First 20 pictures at this link, appear to be pictures of the tiger cub. Who knows what the rest of these pictures are...just kind of weird..

https://www.google.com/search?q=Luis+Eudoro+Valencia&rlz=1T4GGNI_enUS494US495&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiC1JzAl6nYAhUH7YMKHTV_AAoQsAQIPg&biw=1280&bih=566

[Merlot]

1. Idiot. "keep the tiger as a pet" FFS

Tiger get big. Tiger need mass quantities of meat EVERY day to survive.

I hope they throw the book at his guy. He's young and stupid, maybe he will learn something from this.

[TygrBright]

2. Poor baby. Hope it finds its way to a GOOD sanctuary. n/t

[Stuart G]

3. Here is a follow up story..the cub is now named "Moka", and now lives at the San Diego Zoo

Young man pleaded guilty to bringing in endangered animal, will be sentenced Feb 23.. Moka is going to be ok. San Diego Zoo is a good place to grow up for this tiger cub.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/man-pleads-guilty-smuggling-tiger-cub-mexico-calif-article-1.3682005

[JayhawkSD]

4. Actually at Safari Wild Animal Park

which is part of San Diego Zoo. They have way more open space for the animals, though. The main zoo, in Balboa Park, also has some tigers in a very nice, and pretty sizeable enclosure.

This little guy was slated to grow up alone, which is not good for cats, so they brought in a Sumatran tiger of about the same age from the Washington zoo (I think it was) which had been abandoned by its mother. The two have been growing up together and are best friends. They play together endlessly and sleep together like siblings.

They are now socializing with other, adult, tigers. Big happy family. Not certain how long they will stay, as Safari Park now has something of a tiger surplus.

[Rhiannon12866]

5. Adorable as a baby, but Good Grief!

I've visited the Western North Carolina Nature Center near Asheville where they have all manner of animals who can no longer live in the wild. And several are big cats who people attempted to keep as pets...