Collection: Lakota Ti-Liger

Species: Ti-Liger (Panthera tigris x {Panthera leo x Panthera tigris})
DOB: August 30, 2015
Sex: Male
Arrival Date: September 30, 2016

Rescue Story: In 2016, the owner of a Colorado based cub petting and breeding operation was diagnosed with cancer, and could no longer run his profitable business. Turpentine Creek acquired the 12-acre closed-down exhibition facility to enable our rescue of the 115 animals onsite. There, we found big cats suffering in cramped cages with flimsy plywood dens that were dangerously exposed to public areas. Onsite records showed very little history of veterinary care, but revealed that the owner had ties to Joe Exotic, and was breeding his big cats to supply other entities within the cub petting and entertainment industries.

TCWR staff and interns spent six months both onsite caring for the animals, and in the relocation of every animal to accredited sanctuaries throughout the nation. After 6 months, and many miles traveled, all animals were placed in forever homes for a second chance at life and 34 of those animals came to Turpentine Creek. Lakota is one of those 34 animals. 

More about Lakota: Sharing his habitat with Aurora, Lakota is the more laid back of the two and would rather take a doze than play tag. While relatively lazy, he will still find the energy to chase after Aurora.  Lakota enjoys exploring his enrichment items but would much rather find a spot to nap in the shade under his firehose bench. You can find him in our Discovery Area when you visit the refuge. Lakota is a Ti-Liger, which means that his father was a Tiger and his mother was a Liger. A liger is a man-made, unnatural occurrence (just like a Ti-Liger) where someone breeds a male lion and female tiger together for entertainment purposes.