Oh my, have to get on my soapbox here. The have-your-photo-taken-or-interact-with-a-cub-of-an exotic-cat-trade is seriously exploitative of the animals. Maybe the rescue mentioned came by the cubs via a confiscation or whatever, but that one looks awfully young and I would be the first to question from whence it came. I volunteer at a sanctuary that houses large cats. We never allow breeding. Of course we would take in cubs that had been confiscated, but we would not let members interact with them. Photos with cubs is a huge, and growing, trade. Unfortunately the animals are only bringing in the big bucks for a very short time of their lives (roughly ages two to six months). After that, they become expensive livestock. But the biz needs an endless supply of cubs, so there are breeders providing them, essentially running cub mills. Lions and tigers normally stay with their mothers for about two years. Those in the trade are often removed from their mothers' care.

What is happening to all the adult cats (who live to about 20 years in captivity, if they are lucky)? Well, in the US for instance, there are an estimated 5000 to 7000 tigers in captivity. I have heard estimates of as many as 10000. Anyway, these are largely private owners. Regulations vary by state and some states are surprisingly lax. A captive animal is like livestock and the owner can do whatever they want with it. It is surprisingly easy to get a captive tiger.

OP, I do hope the cub pictured is not being exploited and that the sanctuary is a real, reputable one.

Precious creatures!!!! So sad that so few are left...by our own hand!!!

That well known look in her eyes!!