Animal welfare groups have called for the accommodation of a Siberian white tiger to be upgraded to the same level of luxury enjoyed by other passengers on board the cruise ship SuperStar Leo.
The tiger, which features in a 45-minute magician's show together with a cougar, is destined to spend the next four months on board the StarCruises liner in sub-standard quarters reeking of urine and faeces.
Pauline Taylor, a veterinary surgeon who inspected the cats' accommodation yesterday, described it as abysmal.
'The quarters were very plain, with a wooden slatted floor and no toys or any stimulation for the cats at all. Ventilation was poor and there was a noticeable smell of stale urine,' said Dr Taylor, who is also deputy executive director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
'People on board the ship have luxury accommodation - it is up to StarCruises to provide equally good accommodation for the tiger,' she said.
The SPCA, together with representatives of the Asia Animal Foundation and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, were invited to inspect the tiger's quarters when concerns were raised about its welfare after a maiden performance on the ship last Saturday.
'The tiger has some form of chronic hip disease, which the trainer is aware of but, for the well-being of the tiger, says he can't treat until the animal is older,' said Dr Taylor.