Two rescued tigers have moved in to their forever home on the Isle of Wight.
Females Softi and Toph arrived at Sandown's Wildheart Animal Sanctuary earlier today (Thursday).
They travelled nearly 2,000km, having made the trip from a rescue centre in Spain.
The two tigers have endured tragic lives after being bred in captivity in Italy.
In October 2019, they were discovered in small crates outside a suspected circus HQ just outside Rome in the back of a horse box.
They were starving, dehydrated, injured and covered in excrement, destined for a Russian zoo.
They were confiscated at the Polish/Belarussian border and have been at AAP in Alicante, ever since.
Today, via Wightlink ferry, they arrived at their new forever home.
Speaking to the County Press, Emma Godsell, senior animal carer at the sanctuary, said: "They've been nursed back to good health. And their next step in their journey is here at their new forever home.
"It's about carrying on and helping them to settle in and rehabilitate. We're just going to encourage as much natural behaviour as possible and give them the best possible life we can."
The tigers' arrival has been a long time coming, with staff preparing since last year.
They were due to move in in February, but their arrival was delayed due to 'logistical issues'.
Today, their crates were carefully lowered in to their new home and they were allowed time to come out when they felt comfortable.
David, from AAP, who was there when they were rescued at the Polish/Belarussian border three and a half years ago, attended the sanctuary for the relocation.
He told the County Press: "When they arrived they had no trust in people whatsoever so as soon as they saw new faces they'd go frantic again.
"Now we are very glad they are back to normal tiger behaviour.
"If there is any place in the world where they will be accepted, it will be here at the Wildheart Trust."
David said he would describe Softi as gentle and extremely intelligent, where as Toph is a little more aggressive due to what she has been through.
He said the animals could not be reintroduced to the wild because they've lost their natural instincts and could pose a danger.
TV cameras from the BBC's the One Show were also on hand to capture their arrival.
Over the next few days, Toph and Softi are expected to become more confident and venture into their new home.
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