Meet Our New Arrivals
Kira Lion
Photograph by Abbie Cooke
This yearling lioness was scheduled for euthanasia when the Center staff was asked to evaluate her. With a malformed hip, she had become increasingly lame and aggressive. Kira blossomed into a friendly lion after she moved to the Center - where she enjoys a
larger enclosure, therapy toys, and adoration from her sponsors and fans.
Updated: 12/15/08
If you're interested in adopting Kira, please contact us.
Arthur Tiger
Photograph by Abbie Cooke
In the summer of 2008, the Conservators’ Center staff received a request to take a white tiger cub that had been seized by a government agency. While the idea of having a young white tiger was exciting, the staff was hesitant to take on another large cat. The Conservators' Center is a home of last resort, providing a haven for elderly animals, animals with behavioral problems, or those with extensive injuries. Many zoos and sanctuaries would be pleased to have a white tiger to help draw visitors. The agency explained that there were legal issues with the cub's owner, and that the case might go to court because of his value. They wanted the cub placed in a location where no one could question the integrity of the owners or safety of the cat. The Conservators' Center was considered the ideal solution.
Arthur was only 19 pounds at over three months of age, a fraction of what he should have weighed. His previous owner had kept him eating only a very watered-down formula when he should have been eating solid foods. Arthur was used in photo booths; the people having their picture taken with him could feed him the bottle, and he was so hungry he always focused on it rather than on biting them. On the ride to his new home at the Conservators' Center, Arthur ate half his body weight in solid food.
The staff was initially concerned he would not grow normally because of the severe malnutrition he had endured, but young animals can make remarkably fast recoveries. He is now a little tall for his age and has filled out well. His pink nose and blue-green eyes are strikingly bright against his fuzzy, almost all-white coat.
Today, Arthur loves to jump into puddles to splash his human friends with muddy water. He plays tug-of-war with fire hose and attacks large, straw-stuffed burlap sacks with relish. He sits in his big water bucket to cool down, even in chilly weather. Arthur enjoys climbing and teasing his leopard neighbors with peek-a-boo games. Most of all, he likes to greet visitors, all of whom he considers new friends. The Conservators' Center's staff is working to determine which resident lion or tiger will make the best companion for Arthur so he will have a playmate to wrestle and cuddle with. For Arthur, a happy new life at the Conservators' Center has helped erase his difficult beginnings.
Updated: 3/5/09
If you're interested in adopting Arthur, please contact us.
Tonka Tiger
Photograph by Abbie Cooke
An exotic animal facility with a spotty safety record closed when bad
publicity forced the owners to face their inability to manage their big
cats. After more than 40 cats were placed, three male tigers remained.
The owner planned to euthanize them until the Conservators' Center proposed an alternative: the Center placed two in good facilities, and took responsibility for the last one - a sad, elderly cat with health issues. Although Tonka was initially anxious about his new neighbors, he has adjusted nicely to the rowdy young lions and tigers in nearby enclosures, and to the humans who stop by to pay their respects to this
distinguished senior.
Updated: 12/15/08
Please contact us if you're interested in adopting Tonka.