The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission says the two tigers owned by businessman, Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Cheddar, are well protected.
The Director of Operations at the Wildlife Division, Luri Kanton, in a media interview after visiting the estate, said the big cats pose no threat to the residents.
“We have made the visit to look at the tigers to look at their conditions, the cage they are put in and then we want to assure the general public that the tigers are well secured in this cage and our investigation also reveals that so far, their welfare too is being catered for.”
Some residents at Wonda World Estates, Avenue Lincoln near the British High Commission at Ridge in Accra, had expressed worry over the presence of the two tigers at the estate.
They claimed they are not comfortable sharing the estate with the carnivorous animals and have called on appropriate authorities to relocate them.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media on Friday, May 20, 2022, the Director of Operations at the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Luri Kanton, indicated that “the tigers are safe, healthy and well protected and relocation will be done after investigations”.
After visiting the premises of the Wonda World Estate where the tigers are being kept, Mr. Kanton told the media that “a new structure would’ve to be constructed at a new location before the relocation of the animals could be done”.
Meanwhile, Samuel Tiwonitaaba Kuteba, the trainer of the tigers, said the animals have been declawed and are under strict veterinary guidance.
He debunked rumours that the animals were smelly and dangerous to residents.
Mr. Kanton assuaged the fears expressed by the residents of Wonda World Estates, Avenue Lincoln near the British High Commission at Ridge in Accra.
“We want to assure the general public that we are satisfied with the conditions under which they are living here. The next step will see the animals out of this place, but until then, we are still making investigations,” he said.
Although these claims have been refuted by the owner. He stated that;
I bought the 2 tigers to boost tourism in Ghana – Freedom Jacob Caesar
Freedom Jacob Caesar had explained that he brought the animals in a bid to boost Ghana’s tourism.
“First, it is right, I have two tigers that I bought on a bid between Ghana and Dubai. I was the representative from the private sector that initiated my interest in purchasing these two animals. But we did go through the process, the animals are seven months old, still at the very young stage.”
“I went in to buy these animals to add the value of tourism in our country. I wanted to go into the Safari World by making sure that Ghana becomes the first country in the whole of West Africa, East Africa, and Central Africa, except for South Africa, which has these animals.”
