Ariel's Story

Ariel’s original rescue story began in July 2014, when a woman and her son in Florida were looking to rehome their four-year-old pet bobcat. The owners had no license to take a bobcat from the wild, so the situation involved the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Officials brought Ariel to an accredited sanctuary in Florida, where they attempted a rehabilitation program to release her back into the wild. Unfortunately, Ariel had spent too much time living with humans and was deemed nonreleasable.

In early 2023, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) agreed to take this Florida sanctuary’s remaining 33 wild cats, including Aria. TCWR constructed 44 new habitats in Freedom Field between March and December 2023 to house them. Shortly after her arrival, Ariel began settling into her new home at her own pace. She is often spotted atop her den, watching her keepers and surroundings from a distance. Additionally, Ariel has claimed this spot to take long naps and soak up the sun. Ariel’s habitat includes different enrichment items like natural rocks, artificial nooks, and vegetation, encouraging her to utilize her instincts throughout the day and evening.