Grosse Tete, Louisiana -
Live Tiger - Tiger Truck Stop

Live Tiger - Tiger Truck Stop

Better see him soon. A judge has decided that once the truck stops permit expires, this coming fall, they will not renew the permit. [Terri, 06/12/2011]

Caged, Sad, Lonely Tiger

We stumbled across this by mistake. It's a disturbing attraction. Tony the Tiger is on display at a 2-bit road side gas station in Grosse Tete. The stench of fuel drifts across his small caged area, sounds of non-stop trucks trundle past and thoughtless and/or heartless people point, giggle and gawp!

On returning home we learned that there has been a campaign for quite some years to move Tony to a sanctuary where he could live out the remainder of his life in peace and quiet. This was stymied by the owner and government officials who showed little care in their response to international complaints.

We ourselves complained to local officials about this cruel spectacle, but all calls and emails went unanswered. This in itself says a lot about the archaic attitude to this beautiful creature's predicament. [David Bastille, 08/07/2010]

[RA: We received a number of comments today about Tony's situation (Roadside America has not visited this attraction in person, relying on tips contributed from past visitors). Info on the ongoing campaign for the tiger's welfare can be found in the facebook group and at Born Free USA. And here's what the owner has to say.]

Live Tiger - Tiger Truck Stop

Tony, who is the only tiger at the truck stop in Grosse Tete, LA, has lived there for 9 years. On December 14th, 2009, the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries granted the final permit Tony's owner needed to keep him at the truck stop. Although people from all over the world voiced their concern for Tony and his well-being, their pleas were ignored and unanswered. Tony could have a had a wonderful home at an accredited big cat sanctuary with a natural habitat, a pool to swim in, the proper diet, medical care and enrichment he needs and deserves, but the LDW&F chose to allow his owner to continue displaying him at the truck stop 24/7. It is a very sad, disturbing situation, and those of us who support Tony's freedom will continue to be a voice for him. [Tigress62, 03/06/2010]

Live Tiger - Tiger Truck Stop

Lonely tiger in a small enclosure. Kind of sad really. The tiger is very large. [Tony Marchant, 02/09/2010]

Live Tiger - Tiger Truck Stop

A live tiger is in a habitat built at a truck stop. It's been there for years... Right outside Baton Rouge "Tiger Country"(fellow feline Mike the Tiger is housed at LSUs campus in Baton Rouge).

At the beginning of 2010, the truck stop tiger was still there, with a sign on the front that said "Keep the Tiger in Grosse Tete." [Meghan, 01/11/2010]