Karma the Liger's Story

In October 2010, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) received a call from Wild Animal Safari in Stafford, Missouri. This facility had to comply with stricter regulations concerning fence height to house its large carnivores safely. Due to the financial strain it would cost to rebuild its enclosures, the facility felt that finding an alternative home for its large carnivores would be best. Karma was rescued by the Refuge, along with her brother Brady (a male liger), who unfortunately passed away in 2019 due to a tick-borne illness.

Karma is unique in her coloration, temperament, and personality as a hybrid of a lion and a tiger. Like a tiger, she loves playing in her pool in summer, splashing around joyfully. However, like a lion, she often joins the other lions at the Refuge when they carol together, creating a harmonious blend of roars. Curious and nosy, Karma frequently stalks her neighbors, caretakers, and guests who pass on habitat tours, making her an engaging and distinctive presence at the Refuge.