(WVLA) – ‘Tony the Tiger’ a Siberian big cat stationed at Tiger Truck stop off I-10 in Iberville died months back.

Animal rights activist fought years to have him moved but failed.

The owner, Mike Sandlin, has decided to get a new pet, Casper a 5-month-old camel from Texas.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund, not a fan of Sandlin acquiring a camel. In a statement said “decision to obtain a camel simply proves it is a business that exploits animals to promote its business.”

“The whole concept behind it was an attraction and I don’t apologize for that,” said Sandlin.

Animals rights activist also complain about the smell of diesel being so close, something Sandlin also disagrees with.

“Mike the Tiger habitat at LSU or Denver zoo, our air is much better,” said Sandlin.

He also brought in a Quwati Racoon from South America and plans to make the truck-stop into a partial petting zoo. Sandlin plans to add alligators and eventually another tiger, but currently the laws will not allow him to own another tiger.