Blackfire's Story

Blackfire arrived at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) with 33 other animals during the Colorado Project of 2016-2017. TCWR acquired a closing, 12-acre roadside establishment with 115 animals living in deplorable conditions with minimal veterinary care. Due to health issues, the previous owner needed to find a new home for all the animals he had acquired. Many enclosures had access doors made of rotting plywood and a padlock to contain these apex predators. Animals lived on compacted dirt and woodchips and had little shade from the glaring eastern Colorado sun. Our team worked tirelessly on-site for six months and collaborated with other accredited Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) sanctuaries to transport and provide lifelong Refuge to these animals. During this period, TCWR assisted in founding the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance (BCSA) to unite accredited sanctuaries for future rescues and to educate and provide awareness to the public about the plight of the growing wild cat crisis.

TCWR rescued Blackfire with his two siblings, Rocklyn and Peyton, at six months of age. Upon rescue, each of these cubs suffered numerous fractures in their back legs caused by Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) – one of the worst cases our team had seen. Animal care immediately took the cubs to our on-site Jackson Memorial Veterinary Hospital for treatment. Blackfire was the worst of the three but fought for his life as the team continued to provide the critical veterinary care his body needed to recover. Unfortunately, Blackfire’s medical challenges didn’t end with MBD; in November 2018, he underwent emergency life-saving surgery to fix a hiatal hernia. Blackfire’s stomach had migrated into his chest cavity through a hole in his diaphragm. With proper aftercare, the young tiger quickly healed.

Although Blackfire and his siblings have survived a traumatic past, this has not stopped him from enjoying his freedom at the Refuge. During summer, Blackfire enjoys splashing in their pool and drowning his toys. While he may appear laid-back as he naps with his sisters, Blackfire has a naughty side that emerges when no one pays attention, often roughhousing with his sisters. Blackfire’s favorite enrichment is food!