Local couple arrested in tiger incident

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

A couple who rented property for an exotic cat sanctuary in rural Moorpark earlier this year was arrested in connection with the tiger that wandered the hills and creek beds of Simi Valley and Moorpark and was shot Feb. 23.

Federal authorities said charges were filed relating to the possession of exotic cats by Gert "Abby" Hedengran, 56, and his wife, Roena "Emma" Hedengran, 52, including the Siberian tiger that escaped during a move from San Diego County and wandered in eastern Ventura County for almost four weeks before it was killed.

The Hedengrans were arrested Wednesday by special agents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

According to authorities, the Hedengrans operated a non-profit exhibition and sanctuary for exotic cats, including lions and tigers. In late January, the couple transferred their cats from a Temecula facility to their new residence and facility in Moorpark.

But during the move, a Siberian lynx and an adult male Siberian tiger escaped. The lynx was found on the porch of a home near the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and tranquilized. Authorities returned it to the Hedengrans’ compound.

The Hedengrans repeatedly misled and obstructed state and federal law enforcement officers who were attempting to track down and capture the tiger after it escaped, said Thom Mrozek, a U.S. Attorney spokesperson.

Gert Hedengran allegedly destroyed tiger prints in an effort to hinder the federal tracking efforts. The criminal complaint states Hedengran made false statements to the Agriculture Department, submitted false records and destroyed evidence, Mrozek said. Three counts of obstruction of justice also were filed.

The six charges carry a maximum penalty of 60 years in federal prison.

Roena Hendengran also was named in a separate criminal complaint with one count of obstruction of justice and witness tampering. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, authorities said.

Mrozek said a criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime, but he pointed out that every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Hedengrans were told to remove the animals from their property on Lapeyre Road between Moorpark and Simi Valley after officials from the California Department of Fish and Game determined the animals were being sheltered improperly.

The Hedengrans allegedly said Tuffy, the Siberian tiger, had previously died. The couple denied that the tiger on the loose was theirs, but photographic evidence reportedly showed that the tigers in question had identical markings and were one in the same.

The couple also could be cited for violating the animal welfare act.

Following a court appearance in Los Angeles Wednesday, Gert Abby Hendegran and Roena Emma Hedengran were released on a $25,000 bond each.

A preliminary hearing was set for March 30.

The two were released with the condition they could not possess exotic animals, and Roena Hedengran was asked to undergo psychiatric evaluation.

An arraignment is scheduled for April 4 in Los Angles court.