TWO media events:

#1 April 22 at 6:15 p.m. MIAMI – Hoover tiger offloaded from airplane
Miami International Airport; Avianca Cargo Flight QT602 (for media airside access contact ADI and BCR media team, below.)

#2 April 23 at 7:30 a.m. TAMPA – Hoover tiger enters his huge enclosure
Big Cat Rescue; 12802 Easy Street, Tampa, FL 33625

Interviews Available: Jan Creamer (ADI), Tim Phillips (ADI), Susan Bass (BCR)

Details: After a lifetime of suffering in a Peruvian circus, Hoover the tiger will finally be flown to Miami International Airport (MIA) on Friday the 22nd and transported to his forever home at Big Cat Rescue in Tampa.

Wildlife officials in Peru and Animal Defenders International (ADI) seized Hoover in April 2015 to enforce Peru’s ban on wild animals in circuses. Rescuing Hoover proved to be very difficult as the circus had gone underground in order to keep the tiger; but after eight months of searching, ADI received a tip-off and moved in for a surprise rescue operation against the circus. Sick and emaciated, Hoover was then taken to ADI’s temporary rescue center near Lima where he has lived for the past year. Months of tender loving care, veterinary attention, toys and exercise has seen Hoover recover and thrive.

Hoover, who will turn 12 on April 23, will get the best birthday present of all: a new start in life and a new home in America!

ADI President, Jan Creamer said, “Hoover is the tiger that almost got away from us. The Peruvian circus went underground, so it was very difficult to track him down and rescue him from his sad life of pain and suffering. It is a privilege to bring Hoover, who turns 12 on Saturday, to Big Cat Rescue to begin a new chapter of his life happy and safe at this wonderful sanctuary. He has special needs and deserves special attention – and that is exactly the kind of care that Big Cat Rescue does so well.”

At his new home at Big Cat Rescue, Hoover will enjoy a very spacious enclosure with lots of shady trees and soft grass. He will even have access to a spring-fed lake, where he can swim and splash about whenever he likes. Hoover’s habitat also features a large platform, several dens and plenty of toys. He will receive the best possible medical and dental care and nutrition, as well as mentally stimulating and fun enrichment treats at least twice per week.

Big Cat Rescue Founder Carole Baskin said, "Big Cat Rescue is forever grateful that Animal Defenders International rescued Hoover, cared for him during the long process of obtaining permits, and has now transported him to America. We are so happy to welcome Hoover and provide him with a safe, peaceful home at our sanctuary in Tampa. He will now spend the rest of his life enjoying the warm breezes of Florida, relaxing in the shady grass, lounging on his platforms and cooling off in our lake. He will literally be a world away from the abuse he suffered most of his life. After all his suffering, we hope people will take Hoover to their hearts like we have and donate towards his lifetime care.”

Emilio T. Gonzalez, Miami International Airport Director, said: "We are proud to welcome Hoover to the United States and help him transition to his new home in Florida. As America's busiest port of entry for wild animals, we gladly receive thousands of animals like Hoover every year who are being relocated to safe locations around the world."

ADI’s Operation Spirit of Freedom has successfully removed all wild animals from circuses in Peru and over 100 animals have been saved, making it the largest rescue of its kind. Native wild animals including bears, monkeys, birds and reptiles have been built homes in their Amazon habitats, 33 lions will be going home to Africa and Hoover will find peace and safety in Florida.

ADI and BCR would like to thank the Peruvian Government departments, SERFOR and ATFFS, for their commitment to enforce the law and eliminate the use of wild animals in circuses. In particular, the ATFFS Piura and police, who staged the raid with ADI and stood firm to save Hoover. Our thanks also to Avianca Cargo Transport, for helping to make Hoover’s relocation possible.

Please donate to fly Hoover the tiger to Miami:
http://www.ad-international.org/hoover

Please donate for Hoover’s lifetime care at Big Cat Rescue:
http://bigcatrescue.org/Hoover/

#hooverhome