Fun with the JK Corral

Carolina Tiger Rescue Member’s Morning October 12, 2019

When I moved to NC 15+ years ago, I was shocked to learn there was a sanctuary for tigers. TIGERS??? In NC??? Well, yeah – Janine had to check it out. I have been hooked ever since. It is thought there are more tigers in private ownership or captivity (~10,000 in 2019) and only ~4000 in the wild. Carolina Tiger Rescue (CTR) is doing everything they can to provide lifelong care for these majestic creatures with no where else to turn. 

A little history on CTR. It started 20+ years ago as a breeding facility for ‘keystone’ species. You know, in an arch, there is that piece right in the top center that if you remove it, the whole thing comes tumbling down. So keystone carnivores including ocelots, servals, caracals and more were being breed. Over the years, the focus of the organization changed to provide sanctuary for all carnivores. Currently there are about 45 residents, with 18 tigers and 3 lions. No bears, oh my… 

CTR is one of two exotic cat sanctuaries on the east coast – Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro, NC and Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, FL. To be classified as a true ‘sanctuary,’ there are three tenets – no breeding, no touching (unless the animal is sedated for medical), and no dealing in body parts. (You may have heard of another so-called “sanctuary” in NC – don’t believe the hype. The DO NOT follow the previously mentioned tenets; therefore, they are not a true sanctuary.) 

If ever you are down my way and want to visit CTR, let me know – I am always looking for a reason to visit!!! It’s a must-see attraction if visiting the JK Corral. As a non-profit organization, CTR is always in need of funds. They  do amazing work with ~15 paid staff and 200+ volunteers!! If you feel so inclined, they would greatly appreciate a donation – tigers have BIGGGGGGG appetites!!!  https://carolinatigerrescue.org/membership-giving/

Thank you for stopping by – I hope you enjoy the show. 

Caprichio Tiger – the largest tiger at CTR.
Here you can see the deformity of his back right leg. It's though to be from poor nutrition growing up.
At about 6 months old, Rajah and his "sister" Raina were found wandering the highway outside of Charlotte, NC. It appeared they had been tossed out of a vehicle and left.
Is it legal to own one of these majestic creatures in NC?
Sadly, yes it is....
Rajah was so accommodating here to show us the spots on his ears. Those white spots look like eyes to a predator (who prefers to attack from behind) as well as a warning system to cubs - white spots = all is well. No spots = HIDE!!!
Does that tiger have GREEN on his face!!??!!!
No, he isn't green with envy. He has been "painting". As one of the many enrichment activities provided to the CTR residents (each gets an enrichment activity EVERY day), the cats paint "PAWcassos" to sell in the gift shop. It's a one-of-a-kind piece that goes with any decor. If you sign up for the adult day-camp, you can even paint with tigers too!!!
Is it legal to own one of these cuties in NC?
It is not. Wait, wait, wait!! You mean to say I CAN own a tiger, but NOT a bobcat?? That's right. It is illegal to own any indigenous animal and since bobcats are found in the wild here... no private ownership.
Meet Elvis Serval
Striking little guy! One day, CTR received a call late in the day asking if someone could drop a serval off "for a friend." Unfortunately, there was no one there to accept the animal, so the caller hung up. The following morning, a dog carrier was found in the driveway with Elvis and a note stating his mom loved him very much and fed him spaghetti. The note was signed, "Love, Elvis."
There are those ears again!!! Serval have a paw strike faster than a snake strike. When Elvis Serval arrived at CTR, he could barely walk from malnutrition.
Elvis was nursed back to health and is doing great. No one is sure what exactly happened with his leg. The keepers came in one morning to a badly mangled leg requiring amputation. Elvis doesn't mind being a tripod!!!
White tigers are bred for one reason and one reason alone - MONEY!
All white tigers are descended from a single white tiger found in the wilds of India in the 1950s. A severe lack of genetic diversity has resulted in all white tigers having three traits in common - they all have blue eyes.
They have brown stripes instead of black.
And they are all cross-eyed. White is a passive trait amongst tigers. There's no way to breed to ONLY get white tigers. So, if backyard breeders are trying to get a white tiger, what do they do with all of the orange ones they get???
When tigers or other wild cats are privately owned, the humans often defang the animal, thinking that will make them less dangerous. In addition to being defanged, Saber was declawed on all four paws. Those familiar with house cats know this means the bone of the toe is removed down to the first knuckle. Due to this, he 'plops' his feet rather than walking on his toes, as a tiger should. This will cause arthritis later in life, if it hasn't already.
Check out the size of that paw!!!!
Saber was used in a magic show in Las Vegas and was 'defanged.'
Your house cat doesn't like baths?? Tigers are the only cats who like water. And they are naturally solitary creatures (as anyone who is owned by a cat knows...)
Aria Tiger is an example of how love just isn't enough. She was held in private ownership in her family's backyard. The family adored her and did they best they could. Unfortunately, there weren't any vets around who were willing to treat a tiger. So when she kept losing weight despite being fed, the family contacted CTR. It turns out Aria had an enzyme deficiency so she wasn't absorbing what she ate. CTR shipped in pancreas from California to feed to Miss Aria and she quickly did a 180. She was happy and healthy and her former family even visited. Aria has since passed away.
The "Mo" sisters were rescued from Missouri.
Chantel, Barry and I had the pleasure of "painting" with the Mo sisters. SOOOO amazing!!!
Caracals are known for the black 'tufts' at the end of their ears. Thought to be a communication system to alert others of danger.
Zari enjoying an early afternoon siesta.
Sebastian Tiger chillin' in the shade. Sebastian started life as a prop in a haunted house. When the owner of the house passed, ownership transferred to the owner's mother who did not want the tiger. CTR to the rescue!!!
Tarzan TIger started life in a hotel in Mexico. Once it was no longer safe for him to roam the halls, he was placed in a small cage in front of the hotel. Tourists saw him and worked tirelessly until he was able to be rescued and brought to the US. Because of being in that cage for so long, Tarzan always had trouble walking due to his legs being bent too long.

One thought on “Carolina Tiger Rescue Member’s Morning October 12, 2019”

  1. Love to see they are all doing so well. It makes me so sad that there is a need for places like CTR and TWAS.

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