Setting the record Straight: Supporting the Mission and Integrity of Tiger Creek

At Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary, the health, safety, and dignity of every resident are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why it was so disheartening to see public statements by disgruntled former employees and animal rights activists who have never visited, misrepresenting our work and spreading inaccurate information about the care we provide.

These statements, made via a lawsuit and allegations released by a California-based animal rights activist group through websites and social media platforms, suggest that Tiger Creek has failed in its mission to protect endangered animals. We firmly stand behind the integrity of our care practices and the team hired under the guidance of our Executive Director, Emily Brooks. We want to take this opportunity to provide clarity and reassurance to our supporters and the broader public.

A History of Compassionate Rescue

Since its founding, Tiger Creek has rescued large exotic cats from across North America and in 2017 we expanded our rescue to include all wild and exotic animals in need. These animals often come from difficult or dangerous situations: some are former pets who can no longer be cared for, others are retired from circuses, and many are surplus animals from zoos. For many of these animals, Tiger Creek is a last chance at life, saving them from euthanasia and giving them a safe, nurturing home.

Addressing the Allegations

In their publications, activists made several claims that paint a misleading picture of our sanctuary and the care we provide. Here’s what we want you to know:

Accurate Information Matters: Accurate information and transparency reinforce our commitment to ethical animal care and responsible stewardship.
No Wrongdoing in Animal Transfers: Contrary to what has been claimed, all animal transfers have been conducted lawfully and, in a manner, consistent with state and federal guidelines.
Commitment to Veterinary Care: Tiger Creek provides timely, appropriate veterinary attention to all its animals. While one past mistake did result in a USDA citation, we responded immediately by retraining staff and improving our protocols to prevent a recurrence. An isolated incident does not reflect the standard of care provided throughout the sanctuary.
Animal Welfare Is Our Priority: Our practices always meet and usually exceed the standards of the Animal Welfare Act. From specialized diets to custom enrichment programs, every animal is treated with respect and compassion. This includes our primates, who benefit from an enrichment program developed with input from USDA officials and animal care professionals.
Humane End-of-Life Decisions: Decisions regarding euthanasia are made with care and are guided by veterinary advice with our focus on preventing suffering.
Enrichment Over Entertainment: Some criticism stems from the fact that our animals do not engage in “naturalistic” predatory behavior. That’s true, because we believe it would be inhumane to subject live animals to predation in a captive setting. Instead, we offer a wide range of species-appropriate enrichment activities that stimulate our residents mentally and physically without exposing them or other live animals to harm.
COVID-19 Safety Measures: During the height of the pandemic, we took extensive precautions to protect animals from potential exposure to Sars-CoV-2. As a result of these measures no residents at Tiger Creek have ever been diagnosed or shown signs of COVID-19.

Behind the Names: The True Stories of Tiger Creek’s Residents

In light of specific claims, we want to share the full stories of the animals mentioned, told from our perspective and grounded in compassion, veterinary knowledge, and deep respect.

Coco the Cougar

Coco, an elderly male cougar who lived at the Sanctuary from 2014 to 2018, suffered from serious orthopedic issues believed to be genetic. Over the course of two years he received care from no fewer than five veterinary professionals, including an orthopedic specialist. He underwent multiple delicate surgeries to correct problems, including placing pins in his front legs. When it became clear that these medical efforts could not overcome Coco’s painful condition, our veterinary team made the difficult decision to perform humane euthanasia on July 8, 2018, ensuring Coco would not suffer needlessly.

Amir and Greg – Tigers in Their Golden Years

Both Amir and Greg were elderly tigers well beyond the average life expectancy in captivity, which is around 15 years. Amir, who was nearly 20, received continuous care for chronic gastrointestinal issues under the guidance of our veterinary team. He showed no signs of distress prior to his peaceful passing in June 2018. Greg, who was nearly 21, was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. After extensive monitoring and palliative treatment, he was humanely euthanized in October of 2018 when his condition worsened, and his quality of life declined.

Kumari’s Fight

Kumari, a female tiger, was treated for uterine complications in September of 2019. After several rounds of diagnostics including x-rays and ultrasounds and non-invasive medicinal treatments, she underwent surgery for a complete hysterectomy to address the recurring issue. Tragically, while the surgery itself was successful, Kumari died during recovery, likely due to a blood clot. Our veterinary team had done everything within their power to help her.

Dakari’s Care and Lessons Learned

Dakari the serval suffered from a recurring gastrointestinal condition. In 2021, when symptoms reappeared, previously prescribed treatments were started but without immediate veterinary consultation, which delayed the escalation of care. Once notified, the veterinarian provided advanced treatment, including surgery. Though the procedure was successful, Dakari later deteriorated and passed away in February of 2021. In response, the Sanctuary immediately reviewed its protocols, retrained staff, and terminated those responsible for the lapse, underscoring our commitment to continual improvement.

Sierra – A Lifetime of Compassionate Care

Sierra, a long-term tiger resident, developed age-related arthritis and other health challenges. Throughout her life she was monitored daily and received treatment tailored to her needs, treated as individually as every animal who has ever called our sanctuary "home". When her health declined due to chronic renal failure and neurological issues, a humane decision was made to end her suffering in August of 2021.

Nati’s Recovery

Nati, another female tiger, developed a superficial skin lesion in December of 2019 that was treated promptly with surgery and medications under veterinary supervision. Her recovery was carefully monitored, and her treatment plan was adjusted as needed until the wound fully healed. She still lives at Tiger Creek today and is as happy and healthy as ever.

Zuri – A Star and Survivor

Zuri the serval gained national attention for her treatment on the reality show Animal ER when she was rescued by Tiger Creek. Diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis and digestive complications, she received emergency care upon arrival at the Sanctuary and was closely monitored throughout her life. Despite her persistent health challenges, Zuri remained active and responsive until her passing in November of 2019.

Simba – A Sudden Loss

Simba was a healthy serval who unexpectedly passed away in March of 2019. A necropsy revealed a rare gastrointestinal torsion caused by an obstruction, something that could not have been predicted or prevented, even with the highest standards of care.

Lexie – Fighting to Breathe

Lexie, a geriatric tiger with a history of asthma, was examined as soon as she began to show signs of distress. Despite immediate intervention and treatment by our veterinary team, her condition did not improve, and she was euthanized in February of 2018 to prevent further suffering. Her care was timely and appropriate throughout.

Tibor – A Final Rescue

Tibor and Kiki were elderly tigers rescued from a traveling circus that was passing through Tyler. Upon arrival, both were examined and found to be in advanced stages of kidney disease. While Kiki was humanely euthanized shortly after intake, Tibor was monitored and treated. Despite careful attention and dietary adjustments, Tibor’s health suddenly declined, and he passed away in November of 2017 just before euthanasia could be administered.

Commitment Beyond Criticism

The stories of these residents are not stories of neglect or carelessness. They are stories of aging, illness, rescue, recovery, and in some cases, loss. Each one of these animals received individualized, attentive, and extraordinary care from professionals dedicated to their wellbeing. Tiger Creek contracts with multiple veterinarians and never declines when specialist intervention is suggested by our veterinary team. We bring in consultant nutritionists and behaviorists to comb through our policies, practices, and programs. We seek out the advice of big cat, primate, and other animal experts who have decades of experience. We will always ensure the care for our animals is the best available, regardless of the criticism and lies directed at and about us.

At Tiger Creek, our mission has never wavered: to provide a safe, loving, and responsible environment for animals who have nowhere else to go. We thank our supporters for standing by us and for recognizing the care, compassion, and professionalism that defines everything we do.