Areva Tiger grew up in Thailand's HUAI KHA KHEANG Wildlife preserve. She is 14 years old and has 2 cubs, LInsey and Jacob. Areva had always been able to make a decent living in the preserve, and bring home fresh meat for her cubs. But Areva has been unemployed for the past 9 months, and sadly much of the jungle population is facing economic hardship.

This week, Areva relocated to Nishinomiya Japan where she will become the new mascot of the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. She has left her cubs and her boyfriend Chester behind in the Thailand jungle.

She was contacted by a representative of the team who was seeking a new mascot after the former mascot (shown below) Tora-kun passed away in his sleep last Tuesday.

Although the team management assured Areva that the contract allows for her to return to Thaliand twice a year, she is unsure as , like many wild born tigers, she is unable to read or write.