Los Angeles wildlife officials have a tiger in their custody, discovered in the backyard of Ventura County home -- and also strikingly resemblant of a wildcat featured on Grammy-nominated rapper Tyga's personal Instagram. Officials have not disclosed whether or not the tiger actually belongs to Tyga and investigation of the animal's owner is ongoing, according to the Los Angeles Times:
Despite multiple reports that the tiger belongs to Tyga -- and pictures on the rapper's Instagram that show a tiger lounging on the floor of a recording studio and nuzzling his nose against a rope -- a source with knowledge of the Fish and Wildlife investigation said wardens are still "working to establish proper ownership of the animal." ...
Department spokesman Andrew Hughan refused to offer details about the investigation, but said that whoever is found to own the tiger could face a misdemeanor charge of possession of a restricted species, which carries a maximum sentence of about six months in prison and about a $1,000 fine.
Another tiger -- or, rather tigers -- prompted concern in Los Angeles earlier this year, when a pair of animal-training sisters attempted to open a compound for white tigers in the backyard of their Malibu residence. Outcry over that situation dealt primarily with residents' personal safety, but Tyga's case seems different those women requested a permit (and were denied); there seems to be no permit involved here.
"Whatever the outcome of the investigation is, what's important to the department is the safety and security of the tiger," Hughan said. "We will work diligently to find a permanent home for this animal." We trust that the home won't be private or residential, as it's neither the best legal or safety option -- as we learned from the experience of rapper Mally Mall, who was criticized earlier this year for keeping a pet wildcat in his Las Vegas home.
