Thor's Story

In May 2025, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) partnered with Humane World Canada, Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, and The Wildcat Sanctuary to rescue seven African lions from a closed roadside facility in Quebec. This was TCWR’s first international rescue.
In October 2025, TCWR brought six lions back to the Refuge for lifelong care, including Thor.

Thor had been moved extensively throughout his prior life and exploited for profit, often relocated between facilities. Now he has a permanent home where he is safe and cared for. Calm and social, Thor is especially friendly toward Nirvana and his Canadian companions. He enjoys lounging on his bench, rolling in the grass, and observing his surroundings. Curious about neighbors Kyro and Samira, he sometimes interacts along the fence line.

He loves enrichment, especially pumpkins and toys, and is frequently seen playing with them at the bottom of the hill after enthusiastically chasing them down. Thor also enjoys being vocal, using a variety of lion-specific calls, including powerful roars, to demonstrate the social and territorial communication unique to his species.