ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST : Waystation Trying to Save Tigers in Ireland

The Wildlife Waystation, a sanctuary for abused or abandoned animals in the mountains above Lake View Terrace, is trying to rescue four malnourished and ill tigers currently languishing in an airport in Ireland.

The Waystation is located on a 160-acre ranch in Angeles National Forest. Martine Colette, a seamstress turned animal rescuer, opened the station in 1976 as a licensed, nonprofit organization.

The ranch, which is equipped with a full-scale veterinary hospital, is home to 1,000 animals and provides 24-hour “wild animal response” rescue service in the Los Angeles area.

The tigers--two cubs and two adults--are victims of “exceeding hardship and cruelty,” Colette said. The adult tigers--a male and female aged 7 and 8--are either Siberian or Bengal, and originally belonged to a circus in England. They were sold to private owners in Ireland, and were improperly cared for, Colette said.

Irish animal cruelty investigators discovered the sick and hungry tigers several months ago and confiscated them. Three weeks ago, the female gave birth to two cubs. A fifth tiger was euthanized because the animal was too sick to save, Colette said.

Colette said Irish authorities sought homes for the tigress across Europe, but had no success. “We’ve agreed to take the animals and to pay for their care and upkeep,” she said, noting that customs permits have already been processed.

“The problem is, there is only one airline that flies directly from Ireland to Los Angeles, and they can’t transport animals. There must be some way, an air freight company, or a private interest who can help us find a way to get those tigers. We must get them here as soon as possible. There must be somebody who knows how we can save these animals.”

If the tigers are obtained, they will become part of one of the most remarkable and diverse cat families in the world.

Colette has rescued cougars, bobcats, jaguars, panthers, tigers, lions--and even a ligress --a cross between a lion and a tiger. All live in immaculate, roomy shelters designed to give the animals room to prowl. There are trees, boulders and branches to climb.

Colette has several other tigers including Angela, a Bengal tiger rescued from a tragic fate. Formerly part of a circus act, Angela was found freezing to death in a crate in an Alaskan warehouse. She was abandoned by her owner and left without food or water for an estimated 10 days before she was found and shipped to Los Angeles.

Anyone with information or means to help transport the animals to the waystation may call: (818) 899-5201.