By Pat Craig | Executive Director
At The Wild Animal Sanctuary, the rehabilitation process is tailored to each animal’s unique needs. After the initial rescue intake process, Sanctuary experts assess each animal individually. This is the story of how Vesper and Sienna, two caracals, were rescued from a confining shoebox-sized space.
This story starts in the infamous Tiger King Park in Thackerville, OK. At this facility, large exotic animals were confined to small, confining enclosures with concrete flooring and metal fencing. These animals were exploited for pay-to-play programs and suffered severe mistreatment, including poor diet, inadequate medical care, and unsuitable living conditions.
The Netflix series “Tiger King” exposed the cruel practices of such facilities, leading to public outrage and legal action that forced the closure of these abusive organizations. Fortunately, the Department of Justice, which had an established partnership with The Wild Animal Sanctuary, acted swiftly. Many tigers, lions, foxes, and caracals were rescued and brought to a multi-acre habitat at the Sanctuary where they could remain together and begin their journey to recovery. But that’s not the end of Vesper and Sienna’s story.
As Vesper, Sienna, and the other caracals thrived in their new home, it was clear they needed even more space. The Wild Animal Sanctuary Animal Care Team soon realized that these animals needed a larger habitat with more opportunities to roam, run, and romp freely as they would in the wild.
Generous donations enabled the building of a new, expansive habitat from scratch. The newly built habitat caters to the caracals’ natural abilities- jumping up to 2 feet, climbing trees, and hunting stealthily in tall grass. It includes large wooden structures, cool underground dens, and lush grass, providing endless opportunities for play and exploration. As Vesper and Sienna explore their new home, they discover a wealth of hidden treasures each day, writing a new chapter of freedom in their rescue story.
We recently released our 2024 Summer-Fall newsletter! Check out the link below to learn more about the Sanctuary’s rescues and habitat construction history!
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