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Mrs. Claws

Species:  Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
DOB: July 1, 2015
Sex: Female
Arrival Date: December 13, 2023

Rescue Story: In 2023, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) took in 34 cats from Big Cat Rescue, an accredited Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) sanctuary in Tampa, FL. Big Cat Rescue (BCR) was founded in 1992 to safeguard the world's exotic wildcat species through a multifaceted approach with conservation efforts to protect them in captivity and their natural habitats. BCR championed the fight on Capitol Hill, which aided in passing the Big Cat Public Safety Act in December of 2022. With united missions, BCR and TCWR have collaborated in rescuing exotic animals nationally, and both are founding members of the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance (BCSA). BCR has been a leader in captive wildlife advocacy for over 30 years, and with the new Act passed in Congress, its mission has shifted to focus on conservation efforts in the wild. BCR approached TCWR in 2023 about relocating their remaining animals to the beautiful Ozarks. TCWR broke ground on the new habitat expansion, Freedom Field, in 2023, where BCR animals will reside. Mrs. Claws is one of the 34 cats relocated from BCR.

Original Rescue Story: A rehabber rescued Mrs. Claws as a tiny kitten in Christmas, Florida. Mrs. Claws had sustained injuries from an unknown animal and needed immediate medical attention. Her wounds were treatable, and she fully healed during her six weeks at the facility in Christmas; however, due to her sustained injuries, Mrs. Claws would require additional care and training to prepare her for life in the wild. 
Due to BCR’s outstanding reputation in bobcat rehabilitation, the rehabber in Christmas contacted BCR about Mrs. Claws. Mrs. Claws arrived at BCR in November 2015, and the team quickly started training her on hunting and wild behaviors. This training included testing and challenging her to find food in new ways, providing her with various types of prey that would be hard for her to catch, like birds and squirrels. It also involved hiding Mrs. Claws’ food and rearranging her environment. This training would help the BCR team evaluate Mrs. Claws’ ability to navigate and adapt to change. However, Mrs. Claws repeatedly showed signs of mental insufficiency, influencing her ability to learn and inconsistently react to specific situations. After nine months, BCR decided to keep Mrs. Claws as a permanent resident at the facility with approval by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 
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