Sim Tiger

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟳 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. In September, a South African lion farmer sent a shipment of ten healthy lions to the East Asian country of Laos – a sale that raised the alarm for animal activists. In Laos, tigers have been hunted to extinction, but their body parts are still in high demand in traditional medicine and used in a fine wine. But with the supply in the tiger bone market shrinking, alternatives are being sought in South Africa. Activists believe that the shipment of lions was destined to be killed to feed the country’s growing tiger bone industry. It’s a complex story where lion bones are used to supplement the tiger bone market. But was the farmer aware that the shipment of lions would be killed in Laos? Carte Blanche investigates and what we find, suggests that these lions were deliberately sent to their deaths. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟵 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. She was an eight-year-old Bengal tiger named Sheba, hand-reared and loved. But tigers are apex predators, so when this fully-grown female escaped from her enclosure in the South of Johannesburg, locals panicked. Her owner, Rassie Erasmus, conscious of the danger she posed, was among them. As reports emerged of Sheba feasting on domestic animals, residents grew increasingly alarmed, fearing they may be next. It became clear to Erasmus what needed to be done: Sheba would have to be killed. It’s a story that enraged and baffled in equal measure. What explains government's reluctance to ban the keeping of exotic cats as pets? And was her death the only possible solution? Carte Blanche investigates and discovers there may be more to this story than meets the eye (of the tiger). Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://bit.ly/PodcastCB

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟰 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭. The demand for wild pets is rising in South Africa, fuelled in part by cute online animal petting videos and the misconception that they can be fully domesticated. But are exotic pets safe to keep at home? We ask how a Gauteng couple ended up with two endangered white tigers in their suburban backyard. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. In the five weeks of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, more than four million refugees have fled to neighbouring countries – many clutching pets in their arms. But what about the numerous exotic animals in private ownership? Carte Blanche joins a wildlife activist on a risky but rewarding journey back into Ukraine.