A tiger and two camels were stolen from a motel parking lot in Quebec.
The 3-year-old tiger named Jonas and two 5-year-old dromedary camels named Shawn and Todd were en route to Bowmanville Zoo east of Toronto when they disappeared in Surete du Quebec. The pickup truck that was towing the trailer was later recovered minus the trailer and, more importantly, minus a large carnivorous predator.
Zoo curator Rob Clement expressed his concerns:
It could be stinking hot in that trailer. We’re just not sure.
Zoo Director Michael Hackenberger doubted that the thieves knew about the truck’s animal cargo:
Really who would want a tiger and two camels? These things would be like a millstone around your neck. These are either the smartest thieves in the world or the dumbest.
The zoo is putting up a $20,000 reward for information leading to the safe recovery of all three animals.
Hopefully the thieves do the right thing and report the location of the tiger to the proper authorities. Should Jonas get loose, I figure he can probably survive a month or so on his dromedary camels before he starts hunting for pets and/or locals.
Update: Good news on all fronts – the animals were all returned to the zoo. No dromedary camels or French Canadians were eaten.
