Peyton's Story

Peyton 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. Additionally, with compacted dirt and woodchips filled with nails, the animals 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.

Peyton and her two siblings, Rocklyn and Blackfire, were six months old when we rescued them. The 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 onsite Jackson Memorial Veterinary Hospital for treatment. The cubs fought for their lives as our team provided critical veterinary care. Although Peyton and her siblings experienced a traumatic past, it has not stopped her from enjoying her freedom at the Refuge. Peyton enjoys splashing in her pool with her siblings and enjoys long naps in the shade or on her bench. Peyton is crossed-eyed – a common genetic occurrence seen in inbreeding white tigers. Despite a permanent limp, she still loves running throughout their habitat, chasing life at full speed ahead.