VENTURA, Calif. – A 7-month-old Bengal tiger being kept at a Ventura County home has been turned over to state wildlife officials.
The Ventura County Star reports the home's resident surrendered the tiger on Thursday, the same day that Department of Fish and Wildlife officials learned about the animal and went to investigate.
The resident, who has not been named, told a wildlife warden that the tiger had been living at the home but had been taken earlier in the day to an animal shelter.
The 100-pound tiger was transported from the shelter to a facility licensed to handle larger animals. Once fully grown, Bengal tigers can weigh 800 pounds or more.
Wildlife spokesman Andrew Hughan says it's not yet clear if the resident will be charged.
It is illegal to keep certain wild animals in unlicensed facilities.
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