India the Tiger: What we know about the Texas animal sanctuary that will care for the big cat

MURCHISON, Texas – The tiger saga may be over in Houston, but curiosity remains on what’s next for “India” the tiger.

The tiger was loaded in Sunday morning after being found roaming around a west Houston neighborhood by authorities on Saturday.

Here’s what we know about the animal sanctuary India is staying:

Where did India the tiger go?

India was taken to Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison, located between Dallas and Tyler in north Texas.

Noelle Almrud, the sanctuary’s senior director, said India was a little stressed upon arrival from Houston Sunday but is starting to settle.

“We talked to him and interacted with him,” Almrud said. “We don’t go in with him at all, love on him, pet on him, or anything like that because they are wild.”

Almrud said India is currently being quarantined for 30 days to ensure he doesn’t have any parasites, viruses or diseases that can be transferred to other tigers. She said there could be a possibility that India will be introduced to another young tiger that was taken in earlier this year during February’s winter storm.

The sanctuary is not open to visitors due to COVID-19, according to their website, but updates on the animals, including on India the tiger can be found on their Facebook page.

What is the history of the sanctuary? Who owns it?

The Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch, owned by Fund for Animals, is one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in the U.S., with over 800 animals ranging from horses to exotic animals in their care.

The sanctuary opened in 1979 by animal rights advocate Cleveland Amory. He was memorialized for his efforts in 2005 by the board of directors.

Most of the animals were rescued from near-death experiments such as research labs, hoarding situations, threatened by the government and victims of the exotic pet trade. The sanctuary strives to provide a safe, permanent home for rescued animals.

How will the tiger be cared for?

The sanctuary will house India with “lots of amenities”, according to their Facebook post-Sunday morning.

The tiger will be housed at a 1/2 acre naturally wooded habitat with trees and a pool, so he will feel right at home. He will also be provided a proper diet.

Aside from India, the sanctuary has two other tigers in their care: Loki was rescued in 2019 from a cramped cage in Houston, while Elsa was rescued just three months ago from a pet trade in Bexar County.