Ron and Julie

At birth
Ron and Julie make their debut – born on 1st July 1999 in a captive breeding program in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

2 months - A move north
In September 1999, Ron and Julie were brought to Canada’s Bowmanville Zoo, where renowned big cat trainer, Dave Salmoni, started raising the cubs for John Varty’s African Tiger Project. So that the cubs could one day be taught to hunt by Dave and John, they needed to become accustomed to people, and moved into Dave’s small apartment. The tigers also began their training around the zoo by walking with Dave, as he did his daily work with the other big cats. The zoo’s lions seemed to like Ron and Julie, but strangely enough, the 500 lb. white tiger seemed deathly afraid of the two cubs!

6 months - A move south
In January 2000, Ron and Julie were moved to South Africa, where they lived on a game reserve. They went on long daily walks, got used to John Varty and the South African climate and were introduced to other game species. The exuberant cubs chased everything, but caught nothing.

9 months - The killing instinct emerges
In early April 2000, Ron and Julie were moved to the Hunter’s Moon Game Ranch, where they were walked daily in an area that had a variety of prey, from small mice to the colossal White Rhino (three tons). It was here that they began making their first kills, including a dassie, a porcupine (a hunt which left both Ron and Julie covered in painful quills) and warthogs.

14 months - Important lessons at Tigermoon Sanctuary
In September 2000, Ron and Julie were moved to a nearby farm, which was the first stage of what would become Tigermoon. Their new home had a 200-acre hunting enclosure, into which John and Dave introduced medium (and later large) prey. Initially the tigers showed a lack of patience and an inability to use cover in the enclosure correctly. Within a month, the tigers had brought down their first antelope. Within a few more months, Ron and Julie were killing more frequently - and with less help from John and Dave.

Present day - Continuing to hone their instincts
At present, the tigers have killed a wide range of African species, from a small springbok to a large male Eland (variety of antelope). Their kills, which now number over 200, have been made in both their hunting enclosure and when out free-ranging around the Tigermoon Sanctuary. Ron and Julie have both developed their own style of hunting, and are ready for release into a free-range area, with all human contact withdrawn. A 12,400-acre area has been fenced off and stocked with game. Dave and John are currently completing the final preparations for Ron and Julie’s release into free-range territory.