Bela is a very elusive tiger, likes to hide in the bushes of her large enclosure which she shares with her brother Sharuk at LIONSROCK. Her species appropriate life in a large enclosure with many tiger specific amenities at LIONSROCK, is a far cry from her sad past in a captive breeding facility.  

Bela was born on 8 May 2014 into private keeping in Germany. At the intervention of the local veterinary authority, the owner was forced to hand over the siblings because he failed to meet the prescribed keeping conditions. The owner was only allowed to keep the parents of Bela and Sharuk under the agreement that he would not breed any more animals. 

After 6 months, FOUR PAWS took over the young tigers and transferred them to TIERART, one of FOUR PAWS’ smaller rescue centres. Bela and Sharuk were transferred to LIONSROCK as soon as enough space with appropriate amenities had been created and to make room for new rescues at TIERART. The two tigers arrived at LIONSROCK on 23 October 2019.  

FOUR PAWS continues to actively lobby against the breeding and trade of big cats.