Rescue Tigers Mirza, Rafik, Zita and Raspoetin

Born in July 2009 at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary, Mirza (M), Rafik (M), and Zita's (F) birth was unplanned and resulted from their parents, Juno and Cromwell, being separated too late during Juno's breeding cycle. At the time, FELIDA's management policy was to avoid neutering unless medically necessary, as it was believed this could affect the animals' natural behaviour. Instead, males and females were separated when the female came into season. However, just like their older brother, Raspoetin, who was born at the sanctuary five years earlier, Mirza, Rafik and Zita grew into large, gentle tigers with calm temperaments.

In May 2015, the entire family, Juno, Cromwell, Raspoetin, Mirza, Rafik and Zita, was relocated from FELIDA to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, where they were allowed to live in spacious, species-appropriate surroundings.

Over the years, the family has experienced several losses. Cromwell passed away in 2017, followed by Juno in 2021. Raspoetin was humanely euthanised in October 2025 due to advanced osteoarthritis and recurrent epileptic seizures that had severely affected his mobility and quality of life.

Today, Mirza, Rafik and Zita continue to enjoy life at LIONSROCK, where they remain a testament to the importance of providing rescued wild animals with lifelong, compassionate care.