A tigon is a cross between a male tiger and a female lion.

SARASOTA – Rhaja, a rare male tigon, will become a permanent resident of Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary.

A tigon is a cross between a male tiger and a female lion, which is extremely rare in captivity or in the wild, according to Kay Rosaire, founder of Big Cat Habitat. Seven-year-old Rhaja was rescued from another Florida sanctuary that had more big cats than it could continue to provide good care for, Rosaire said.

“Rhaja is a beautiful cat and appears to be very healthy, but we will keep him in a short quarantine to be on the safe side and to help him adjust to the change,” she said. “We’ll also see how he responds to the other big cats, which will help us determine the best housing for him.”

Big Cat Habitat has two other tiger/lion hybrids, Mia, an 8-year-old female liger, and Brutus, a 6-year-old male liger who weighs more than 900 pounds. Ligers are a cross between a male lion and female tiger, Rosaire said.

Big Cat Habitat is a nonprofit safe haven for big cats, bears and other animals in need that is supported solely through charitable contributions and admission fees. The sanctuary was founded by Rosaire, who has more than 30 years of experience working with, and caring for, exotic animals and who began rescuing big cats in 1987. Big Cat Habitat provides education to the public to foster appreciation for the animals and to impart the importance of habitat preservation. It is located at 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota

For information about Big Cat Habitat, go to bigcathabitat.org or call (941) 371-6377. 

Big Cat Habitat | Sarasota | Tigon | Liger | Lion | Tiger | TB Reporter

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