If you are reading this blog for the first time, it's best to start this blog from the beginning by clicking here. At the bottom of each post you can navigate forward (newer posts) and backwards (older posts) in time.

The WAO story is made up of several blogs.  To truly have an understanding as to what transpired at the WAO, you will want to start this blog from the beginning by clicking here.

Enjoy!

In Memory of Sabu

Sweet Ekaterina Passed Away Today

From The Wild Cat Sanctuary:

SAYING GOODBYE TO OUR ANGEL EKATERINA

I'm so sad to share that 19-year-old Ekaterina has lost her battle with osteoarthritis and renal disease. For the last several years, we saw Ekaterina’s health declining, so we put her on our Comfort Care program. This included pain management, laser therapy, and her own soft bed and bedding.

Since she’d been declawed early in life, she suffered from arthritis. We’d moved her several times, to habitats with less rocky areas, more suited for her tender paws. Most recently, she moved to our quarantine area where she’d have lots of indoor heated space, too.

Her last few days were special for her…and us. She was doted over by all staff, loving the special attention we showered her with. We did our best to make her final days as special as possible. She had clean bedding daily, elevated areas for drinking and eating so she didn’t have to bend down, and even a television running movies, so she never felt a minute alone.

She thanked us in her own way with tons of chuffs and her famous vocalizations. Her happy noises. When her day arrived, she was surrounded by those she loved. We were able to help her pass on very peacefully. Both a gift for her and us. Her last days were special, but so was her life.

She was rescued from a Ohio roadside zoo, with her habitat mate Sierra. Then, they were both sent to a facility in the south. Once that facility failed, we and other sanctuaries stepped in to provide homes for over 50 big cats. Ekaterina and Sierra were just a couple of big cats at that facility. We were thankful to bring them to their forever home here at the Sanctuary.

She was rescued from a Ohio roadside zoo, with her habitat mate Sierra. Then, they were both sent to a facility in the south. Once that facility failed, we and other sanctuaries stepped in to provide homes for over 50 big cats.  Ekaterina and Sierra were just a couple of big cats at that facility. We were thankful to bring them to their forever home here at the Sanctuary.

For years before her rescue, Ekaterina had been used as a photo prop.  The public could pay a fee to follow a caretaker into her habitat, sit on her back and even pull her tail.  A short search on the internet shows just how many interactions she was forced to have.

After Ekaterina grabbed a photographer during an undercover story on ABC’s 20/20, authorities finally intervened.

At our Sanctuary, Ekaterina was never forced to do anything. She loved life to the fullest and was quite the showoff in her younger days. She loved her weeble wobble zoo toys, playing in the snow and most of all saying hello to all the humans at the Sanctuary.  She always came up to see if we had a treat or new toy.

Sadly, being declawed for display, her arthritis set in at an early age. It became more difficult for her to walk up each visit. She’d often call from her platform or take naps along the fence line so she would already be close when her human friends passed by.

The sanctuary is noticeably quieter without you Ekaterina. But your chuffs will be heard in our hearts forever.

Sheba Passed Away From Overheating

Just the other day I was wondering how the lions at Carolina Tiger Rescue were doing.  Now I know...  I am absolutely heartbroken. Sebastian must miss Sheba terribly...now he's all alone..

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article233020452.html?fbclid=IwAR2fp378owmJash025KHURvCe8D8duW57gB14jvMSbjQSuE_X4Uqeki9-74

Sheba the lion dies after overheating from vomiting, NC wild cat sanctuary says

BY BAILEY ALDRIDGE

JULY 23, 2019 03:08 PM, UPDATED JULY 24, 2019 11:04 PM

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A 17-year-old lion died after overheating from vomiting at a North Carolina wild cat sanctuary last week.

Sheba the lion started vomiting after she ate a meal and overheated at the Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro, and despite efforts from staff to cool her down and help her, she was unable to recover, Carolina Tiger Rescue said Tuesday on Facebook.

The Facebook post did not originally specify that Sheba overheated because of vomiting but has since been updated.

The staff used “cool IV and SubQ fluids” to try to help Sheba along with other “cooling techniques,” the sanctuary said.

“Unfortunately her age made her more susceptible to the increased temperatures,” the sanctuary said. “It is likely that her kidneys and liver were already not in the best of condition before this and simply couldn’t handle the additional stress.”

Carolina Tiger Rescue is a nonprofit wild cat sanctuary that helps wild cats both in captivity and in the wild, according to its website. It takes in animals that have been confiscated, abandoned or that need a new home.

“Sheba will forever be remembered as the matriarch of the pride of three that came to us from Texas,” the group wrote. “She always kept Sebastian and Tarzan in line and was the first to work out new enrichment items.”

Carolina Tiger Rescue

July 23 at 11:34 AM · 

We have sad news to share about the loss of Sheba Lion. Sheba got overheated this past week due to vomiting after she ate her meal, not that she just got too hot because of the weather. The animal care team saw her vomit and kept watch over her the entire time. They called for additional help when it was clear that she was not able to recover on her own. We started her on cool IV and SubQ fluids and other cooling techniques. Unfortunately her age made her more susceptible to the increased temperatures. It is likely that her kidneys and liver were already not in the best of condition before this and simply couldn’t handle the additional stress. At 17 plus years of age, most cats have some kidney issues or other health issues that make them more fragile.

Sheba will forever be remembered as the matriarch of the pride of three that came to us from Texas. She always kept Sebastian and Tarzan in line and was the first to work out new enrichment items. Her confidence and leadership was seen the moment she stepped into Quarantine on her first day. Rather than being worried about the new people, she felt the need to walk around and check out everything about her new space. She walked the perimeter, stood on her hind feet and looked at the roof, and sniffed every corner. While Sebastian and Tarzan hold a special place in my heart as the more delicate members of the pride, Sheba will also stand out to me as the epitome of what it means to be a lion – strong, confident, and smart. Her presence will be greatly missed in the sanctuary, but most especially on Oak Hill.

While I know that learning of the loss of Sheba is heartbreaking, I do want to take this time to reflect on the Carolina Tiger Rescue family. I have always said that one of the reasons I have been here so long is the people. And it’s true. The people that we have working here, both staff and volunteers, are incredible. Not only do I consider them friends, I’m always impressed with how they handle themselves. This crisis was no different. Not only did they respond quickly and professionally when things were critical, they kept going long after the sun had set and were back ready for more when things had not improved. We had staff at the house that stayed just as late to make sure we had back up and brought down food when it was clear we would not be leaving in time for dinner. There is no other team that I would rather have by my side. Thank you for all that you do every day, and even more for what you do when called upon in an emergency.

God Bless You, Sheba...may you find peace and love in Heaven with Tarzan.