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Despite a previous announcement that tiger cubs were due in February, no tiger cubs have been born this year at Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bend, Wisconsin.
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary continues attempting to breed their female white tiger, named Ginger, with their male tiger, named Goliath. Previous breeding attempts have resulted in multiple failed pregnancies and one successful pregnancy that resulted in still-born cubs.
All white tigers are inbred, according to Scientific American. When white tigers are bred, they commonly produce still-born cubs or cubs that have birth defects, genetic issues or other deformities.
On March 27, 2021, Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary posted on Facebook that Ginger had given birth to two stillborn cubs.
When questioned about why a purported sanctuary would breed their tigers, Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary said they felt that tigers needed to be bred in captivity “so there will be tigers for people to see and to care about.”
On April 16, Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary posted that Goliath and Ginger were mating and cubs could be expected the first week of August.
In May, Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary obtained two female tiger cubs from Animal Haven Zoo in Weyauwega, WI, and announced the cubs would be future mates for Goliath.
On June 13, Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary posted that Goliath and Ginger were mating, and cubs were expected the second week in September.
On June 14, Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary posted that Goliath has a neurological issue in his lower spine which is causing severe pain and they said he is self mutilating due to the issue.
On August 1, Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary posted that Goliath and Ginger had again started mating and cubs could be expected in late November. They said they believe the previous mating attempts were unsuccessful because Goliath was highly medicated to stop him from mutilating his feet, ankles and thighs.
On October 9, Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary posted that Goliath and Ginger were again breeding and cubs could now be expected in February 2022.
It is now February 28, and the facility has made no mention of the tiger cubs that were expected to be born in the past month.
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary has also begun blocking any social media followers that question why the roadside zoo would continue breeding tigers with genetic issues.