Leyah's Story

In May 2025, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) responded to a critical rescue operation after a California facility lost its permit due to repeated animal welfare violations. In partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, TCWR rescued and relocated eight wild animals—including Leyah—to lifelong sanctuary at the Refuge.
Leyah is a lioness whose quiet strength is profoundly moving. Severely underweight and believed to be both blind and deaf, she now lives on the flat terrain of Rescue Ridge, where our team can provide the safety and supervision she needs. Though her disabilities pose daily challenges, Leyah is slowly learning the layout of her new home, using scent, touch, and perhaps vibration to explore her surroundings.
One unforgettable moment: as far as we know, this is the first time Leyah has ever felt grass beneath her paws. After a life spent on dirt or concrete, she now rests in the sun, surrounded by natural beauty and the calming presence of other rescued animals.

We continue to carefully evaluate her vision and hearing. She surprised us early on by walking straight to the fence when our Curator approached and following her closely, perhaps sensing movement or hearing subtle sounds.