Athena's Story

A roadside zoo in Branson, MO, was housing a number of reptiles, aquatic animals, and mammals, including five tigers, a lion, a black bear, a leopard, and a coatimundi. The facility failed to implement proper safety protocols, which led to a young keeper entering an enclosure to take photos of three tiger siblings, Athena, Chuff, and Abigail. Unfortunately, the young keeper slipped and fell, provoking the tiger’s natural instincts, and they attacked, leaving the keeper paralyzed for the remainder of his life. After the incident, the facility needed to place its mammals, including the three tigers, into new homes. The roadside zoo called Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR), and we immediately left to rescue the animals.

Athena and her siblings were extremely aggressive towards the TCWR Animal Care Staff during their first few years at the Refuge. Over the years, Athena and Chuff became more calm and comfortable as they adapted to their new life. Athena and Chuff can still be seen sharing a habitat, whereas Abigail was moved to Rescue Ridge, away from the public, where she has become much calmer. Athena has always been very active and playful, but as she has aged, she spends more time soaking up the sun while stretching out on her bench or at the bottom of her habitat. She has always loved water and enjoys taking a dip in her in-ground pool on warmer days.