Rambo's Story

Rambo was rescued by Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) in February 2021 from Strong, Arkansas, after his previous owner tragically died in a car accident. The family members could not continue caring for Rambo, so they called TCWR. There is a first for everything, and we realized the need to provide a home and lifetime sanctuary to this lone carnivore. Rambo arrived in excellent health and now receives routine veterinary care to ensure his well-being as he ages. Rambo resides at Rescue Ridge – a designated area with flat terrain away from continual visitors for TCWR’s older animal residents. Rambo is content in sanctuary life and can be heard throughout the Refuge ‘whooping’ and ‘grunting’ along with the lions’ caroling.

Rambo enjoys greeting his caretakers with a low grumble, unique to his species. Hyenas produce a variety of vocalizations, including wailing calls, howling screams, and well-known “laughter” sounding noises. Rambo enjoys a variety of enrichment items, but his favorites are food items his care team hides in boxes or cardboard tubes throughout his habitat. He enjoys cooling off and playing in his pool in the summer months. Rambo tends to hoard his bones, decorating his habitat with them. Despite being in captivity, Rambo still has excellent hunting instincts and successfully kills a vulture or opossum occasionally.