Mike Tyson, the legendary boxer, faced a dramatic turn of events when he lost custody of a white Bengal tiger after it attempted to attack a neighbor’s dog. This incident has sparked conversations about the challenges of owning exotic pets.
Tyson’s Exotic Pet Collection
At one point, Tyson owned three white Bengal tigers named Boris, Storm, and Kenya. He treated these magnificent creatures as pets, but they also led to some serious complications. According to Shelly Finkel, Tyson’s former manager, an unfortunate incident occurred during one of Tyson’s walks with his tiger. Finkel recounted, “Mike decided to take the tiger for a walk. While out, the tiger spotted a neighbor’s dog, jumped over the wall, and attempted to attack it. The dog’s owner witnessed the scene and saw Tyson struggling to control the tiger. That evening, Tyson called me, saying, ‘Shelly, the ASPCA is here. I’m no longer allowed to keep these cats at home.'”
A Deep Bond with Kenya
Among the three tigers, Tyson shared a particularly close bond with Kenya. He often allowed the 250 kg tiger to sleep on his bed and played with it regularly. However, after 16 years, Tyson had to part ways with Kenya due to its old age, weakened health, and deteriorating eyesight. The situation escalated further when Kenya attacked a woman, leading Tyson to pay $250,000 in damages. The fate of the other two tigers remains unknown.
A Unique Acquisition Story
Tyson’s journey with tigers began while he was incarcerated in the early 1990s. He humorously shared, “At that time, I was in prison, and I was talking to my car broker. He mentioned that he could trade cars for horses, lions, and tigers. I thought it would be so cool. So, I suggested he trade my cars for tiger cubs. When I got out of prison, those tigers were waiting for me at home.” Reports indicate that Tyson spent over $70,000 on each tiger, in addition to $200,000 annually for their food and care, and $125,000 to hire a trainer to help socialize them.
The Wild Side of Exotic Pets
Tyson’s pet collection didn’t stop at tigers; he also had a mountain lion and several leopards. There were instances when Tyson was bitten by his pets, requiring stitches. In a candid moment in 2020, Tyson reflected on his motivations for owning tigers, saying it stemmed from a lack of self-confidence. He acknowledged that keeping such wild animals as pets was a mistake, emphasizing that they could never be fully tamed and posed a danger to their owners.
Current Life and Legacy
Today, Mike Tyson has shifted to more conventional pets, owning dogs and pigeons. Born in 1966, Tyson is a towering figure in the world of boxing, having dominated the sport in the late 1980s and early 1990s as the youngest heavyweight champion in history in 1986. Despite his professional glory, Tyson’s life has been marred by controversies, including assault, sexual misconduct, and the infamous ear-biting incident involving Evander Holyfield.
Conclusion
The story of Mike Tyson and his tigers serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of owning exotic pets. While Tyson once reveled in the thrill of having tigers as companions, he ultimately learned the hard way that such wild creatures belong in their natural habitats, not in human homes. As Tyson continues to navigate his life post-boxing, his journey with these magnificent animals remains a fascinating chapter in his legacy.
