Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Authorities Kill Tiger That Had Been Roaming Near Ronald Reagan Library
AP ^ | 2-23-05 | Laura Wides

Posted on 02/23/2005 7:27:49 PM PST by Indy Pendance

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Authorities shot and killed a male tiger Wednesday that had been roaming the hills near the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

The 425-pound cat was shot several hundred yards from soccer and baseball fields at the edge of a housing development. Authorities still don't know who the owner is.

"It's unfortunate that we had to kill it," said Lorna Bernard, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Fish and Game. "It's even more unfortunate that the person who owned it didn't come forward and alert us immediately. We might have been able to capture it."

Trackers had to shoot to kill because a tranquilizer would have taken five to 10 minutes to bring down the animal, Bernard said. They were concerned the animal might attack them or bolt onto a nearby highway. The animal was killed near Simi Valley, about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Authorities received a call just after 6 a.m. from a resident who reported the tiger strolling past his back fence. He said his children took pictures from inside their home.

Ken Tucker told KCBS-TV the tiger walked to a nearby house and "was just staring down" the neighbor's dogs.

The trackers had been looking for the animal for eight days, using infrared equipment at night. They had set traps with goat meat and chicken.

The hunt began after the discovery of paw prints on a ranch near the library that were far too large for native bobcats or mountain lions.

Bernard said the owner could have told authorities about the tiger's temperament and eating habits, which might have helped them catch the animal sooner.

As the cat roamed the hills, it became hungrier and disoriented, making it more dangerous to the nearby community of horse ranches and sprawling homes.

Authorities said they were investigating how the cat got loose in the hills.

"Obviously we'll be looking at all the facilities in the area that housed big cats," Bernard said.

Tests will be performed on the tiger that may provide clues about its history.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: reaganlibrary
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-40 next last

1 posted on 02/23/2005 7:27:49 PM PST by Indy Pendance
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance

Hoo-boy! Get ready for the animal-rights nuts to go ballistic. Somehow, they'll blame RR, then W, for it.


2 posted on 02/23/2005 7:29:31 PM PST by Paul Atreides (Hillary, Nancy, and Barbara: Proof that there are strong men in the Democrat Party)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance

Have they no shame..why God..why?????????

3 posted on 02/23/2005 7:33:45 PM PST by BerniesFriend
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Paul Atreides
Ahhhh, the jungles of Simi Valley. My next safari destination.
4 posted on 02/23/2005 7:34:24 PM PST by socal_parrot (Inflate the life vest by pulling on the tabs or blow into the tube.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance

"There's a Bear in the woods..."


5 posted on 02/23/2005 7:35:49 PM PST by ambrose (....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BerniesFriend

That's one hugh tiger, 425 pounds is no kitten. You know, it's all Reagan's fault.


6 posted on 02/23/2005 7:35:51 PM PST by Indy Pendance
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance

This is crap that a beautiful animal like that had to be killed. I had understand the reasons for the killing (safety) but its still a shame.

Tigers just don't show up in Simi Valley for no reason. The person to blame is the owner who for whatever reason, didn't even bother to report the missing animal.


7 posted on 02/23/2005 7:37:27 PM PST by MplsSteve
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Paul Atreides
"Get ready for the animal-rights nuts to go ballistic."
Must be RATs' dirty trick: of all the places the tiger could have been, what are the chances it would be released right next to RR library?
8 posted on 02/23/2005 7:39:45 PM PST by GSlob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: GSlob

I'm afraid you're wrong; it's all Karl Rove's doing. He was behind the forged memo controversy, ya know. ;-)


9 posted on 02/23/2005 7:41:15 PM PST by Paul Atreides (Hillary, Nancy, and Barbara: Proof that there are strong men in the Democrat Party)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance

looks like they wouldn't let tiger woods play through ... that's a tough golf course


10 posted on 02/23/2005 7:41:54 PM PST by InvisibleChurch (Look! Jimmy Carter! History's greatest monster!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GSlob

Oh yeah, it's no coincidence that Karl Rove looks like Rush Limbaugh. Surely, you don't think that human cloning is a relatively new thing.


11 posted on 02/23/2005 7:42:44 PM PST by Paul Atreides (Hillary, Nancy, and Barbara: Proof that there are strong men in the Democrat Party)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: InvisibleChurch

I would pontificate on what might be wandering around the Clinton Lie-Bury, but decorum prevents me from doing so.


12 posted on 02/23/2005 7:43:53 PM PST by Paul Atreides (Hillary, Nancy, and Barbara: Proof that there are strong men in the Democrat Party)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance
"As the cat roamed the hills, it became hungrier and disoriented,

And pretty darn wet and scared.

I suggest it found a taste for wild rabbits and coyotes in that canyon and was doing nice with those. They avoid water too.

13 posted on 02/23/2005 7:45:35 PM PST by BobS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance

Saw the video on tv, clean shot, took it right down. Shame.


14 posted on 02/23/2005 7:46:55 PM PST by Pylon (The Pylon cam was my idea.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Indy Pendance

Tonight Anderson Cooper said he did not know if the animal a pet or just wild in the area.


15 posted on 02/23/2005 7:47:16 PM PST by msnimje
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MplsSteve
Tigers just don't show up in Simi Valley for no reason. The person to blame is the owner who for whatever reason, didn't even bother to report the missing animal.

Maybe the owner got in his belly.

16 posted on 02/23/2005 7:48:05 PM PST by X-FID (I don't know anyone here that's been killed with a handgun.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Paul Atreides

Nah, Karl would have black widows dumped by the bucket in WJC massage parlor in Little Rock, or maybe tarantulas... Tigers are pricey nowadays.


17 posted on 02/23/2005 7:50:56 PM PST by GSlob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: msnimje

How many tigers are roaming California, or the US for that matter. Sounds like someone's 'pet' got loose. Pity. The owners should be held accountable.


18 posted on 02/23/2005 7:51:49 PM PST by Indy Pendance
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Paul Atreides
probably Hugh


19 posted on 02/23/2005 7:52:03 PM PST by InvisibleChurch (Look! Jimmy Carter! History's greatest monster!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: socal_parrot
"Ahhhh, the jungles of Simi Valley. My next safari destination."

For some desperate housewives? :)

Wait until the mud and crap is cleared by them :-0

20 posted on 02/23/2005 7:53:03 PM PST by BobS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-40 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson