The Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete is changing ownership and the new proprietors will no longer display the collection of exotic animals that have put a spotlight on the business. The flagship animal, a 550-pound Bengal tiger named Tony, died in 2017. Now-former owner Michael Sandlin says that death hit him hard.
“That was probably the main turning point for me. I knew that there was not a good chance to get another tiger,” said Sandlin.
Following the euthanizing of Tony the Tiger due to age-related health issues, the main attraction became Caspar the Camel. The camel and a kangaroo are now residing at the Alexandria Zoological Park. Sandlin says he still owns some of the other animals.
“The two mountain goats and the chickens and ducks and the two other animals are here with me at my homestead,” said Sandlin.
Sandlin considers himself and animal welfare advocate and says stepping away from the ownership of the truck stop and roadside zoo has been an emotional process.
“Being my first business and being there almost 33 years, most of my life, it kind of helped define me, I think,” said Sandlin.
The Tiger Truck Stop has been no stranger to controversy over the years, most recently drawing attention after a Florida woman bit the camel’s testicles after entering the animal’s enclosure to retrieve her dog.
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