Naula's Story

Naula arrived at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) with another tiger, Kiara, in February 2020 from a roadside zoo forced to close due to the owner’s illness. The Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance (BCSA) contacted TCWR due to the facility’s proximity to the Refuge. The zoo’s owner acquired the two tigers from different places in Oklahoma, one of which was Joe Exotic’s. Upon her arrival, Naula exhibited some limping but was healthy despite her previous living conditions. Furthermore, she underwent a comprehensive examination at TCWR’s onsite veterinary clinic, which included preventative vaccinations and bloodwork to ensure her overall well-being.

One of the more photogenic tigers at the Refuge, Naula, loves to stalk and show off in front of the camera. She hides underneath the leaves and branches of her habitat as she waits for the perfect moment to run and pounce toward her target. Often, she engages in a game of “cat and mouse” where she stalks, runs up to her keepers at the fence line, and then runs back into her habitat to begin stalking again. In April 2024, our wellness exam revealed that Naula had a fusion of her metatarsals due to what was likely an old injury. Naula will continue to receive the care she needs to live her best life at the Refuge.