Chief's Story

In September 2020, after years of litigation, Tim Stark was court-ordered to relinquish 200 animals at his Charleston, Indiana ‘pay-to-play’ facility. Due to increased public scrutiny and pressure placed on authorities, the court order stemmed from inhumane declaw procedures and his highly profitable cub petting photo opportunities. This rescue involved missing and abandoned animals, SWAT teams, U.S. Marshals, and threats of violence from Tim Stark. Government organizations call on Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) to handle high-profile cases like this one in Indiana. Thanks to our donors, TCWR was able to provide forever homes for eight animals, including Chief, three other lions, and four tigers. All eight animals suffered from inadequate care, resulting in infestations of intestinal parasites, inhumane declaw procedures, and other health-related concerns.

Upon arriving, Chief was in critical condition, extremely dehydrated, malnourished, and inundated with intestinal parasites. The TCWR team questioned his survival but promptly administered fluids. Within minutes, the big cat rose and stretched. After arriving at the Refuge, his condition and health improved quickly with proper care, and he regained his regal stature. In 2023, Chief underwent a routine exam and claw trim, revealing another severe health scare. Under sedation, our on-site veterinarian noticed that his body was in a state of hypovolemic shock. Chief was diagnosed with Addison’s disease, and due to his trust in his care team, he allowed the team to administer subcutaneous fluids for three weeks to help stabilize his electrolyte values while he began to receive hormone replacement therapy. Despite all the odds and serious discussion of possible euthanasia, this lion still leads the pride with his prolific caroling. He enjoys spending his days sharpening his claws on logs in his Rescue Ridge habitat and prefers any enrichment item sprinkled with spices. He is a true example of the Rescue to Refuge experience of all animals at TCWR.