Roque

The Pet Shop Tiger Who
Found a Forest HomeRoque (‘Rocky’) is a young tiger who lives at Born Free’s tiger sanctuary in Bannerghatta, India. He is a beautiful and inquisitive young tiger who loves to explore the large forest enclosure he now calls home. He clambers over boulders, rolls in sandy soil, keeps cool in his deep pool and enjoys a real tiger habitat.

The Sad Life of an Exotic Pet

Born on May 17, 1998, Roque was only a few days old when he was taken from his mother and put up for sale in a Spanish pet shop. Terrified, bewildered and alone, the tiny tiger paced his small glass tank, constantly crying. Born Free is very worried about the exotic pet trade because wild animals belong in the wild and never make good pets. It is very difficult to properly care for a wild animal and it could quickly become dangerous. Many tiger cubs who become victims of the illegal exotic pet trade end up alone in tiny cages, are sold to circuses or zoos, or worse.

Determined to expose these cruelties, Born Free organized an undercover operation during which they rescued Roque from his terrible situation. Roque found a new home at the organization’s UK-based big-cat sanctuary in the United Kingdom. His keepers have tried to teach him to play gently, though some of his games left them with scratches and scars – after all, he is a wild cat. It is horrifying to think what could have happened to this gorgeous young tiger if he hadn't been rescued.

Finally! Home, Sweet Home

In April 2002, Born Free moved Roque to his current home, where he enjoys life surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of India. There he has become more like a wild tiger. He particularly enjoys investigating the large patch of forest in his enclosure and the insects, lizards and small mammals that live in the undergrowth. His favorite place is beneath a large bush, high up on a rocky bank beside his pool, where he gets a great view of the surrounding countryside.

Sadly, many tigers and other big cats are endangered. The main threat to their survival is human activity: they are killed for their fur and body parts, their homes are destroyed, they are exploited as pets and in zoos and circuses. By adopting Roque, Brady Communications is helping provide his daily care and protecting big cats worldwide.